Forbidden Flower
Chapter One | Chrysanthemum
“Matsui Jurina, present.” The teenager replied most suavely.
Light from the beautiful veranda seeped in, casting a radiant glow over the class room’s latest occupant. Girls waved on enthusiastically in turn, and the whole classroom seemingly lit up into smiles. Rena turned, her gaze shifting over to the younger girl who had just answered her so.
“You’re late Jurina-chan.” Megumi voiced out, her expression unexpectedly pleased.
The young girl made her way in with each step clear and conspicuous. “It won’t happen again, Ohori-sensei.” Her composure was calm and collective as she replied.
The student teacher remained quiet. She glanced back and forth awkwardly as Megumi winked at the girl who just paused to give a respectful bow in Rena’s presence. To her surprise however, when Jurina looked up she felt a sudden nostalgia soak throughout her body.
They made eye contact…
In that short moment of silence, Jurina’s eyes glimmered expressively. Confused by such an intense aura, the shorter of the two had to blink a couple of times to compose herself.
Rena couldn’t shake off the feeling as she watched the girl’s pink lips curve into an amused smile. The corners of her mouth igniting into view a set of charming dimples.
Rena looked away clearing her throat, and Jurina proceeded to settle herself down at her assigned seat. Hesitantly, she resumed the roll call duties. As she continued to read out names on the list her eyes slowly, yet curiously traveled to Jurina’s seat. Rena quickly darted her eyes back down regrettably though, when she noticed that the younger girl's eyes had never left hers.
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After the sound of a bell signaling lunch break in session, loud echoes of laughter and lively chatter began to fill the modish school. Jurina watched as the student
teacher made an exit with Megumi out of the room, she had guess that it’d be for the faculty lounge and kept silent.
“Did the new teacher catch your attention or something?” Kimoto Kanon, a classmate asked.
Jurina propped her elbows up onto the desk top and laced her elegant fingers together. She glanced up to look at the younger girl, “Perhaps, it’s something like that.” She replied with a smirk.
The girl suddenly furrowed her eyebrows, “…But, I don’t want that.” She commented with a pout and her index fingers nervously tapped against each other.
Jurina chuckled softly, “She just looks like someone I’ve met before.” With that said she lifted up an arm and ruffled the top of Kanon’s dark brown locks.
At the kind gesture, a smile returned to the girl’s adorable features. “Are you going to eat in the cafeteria with the seniors again?” she asked.
Alluring fingers suddenly slid against Jurina’s desk, “Of course she is.” An upper classmen named Takayanagi Akane or better known as Churi walked over. She sat down on the countertop in a seductive manner, placing a hand on the shoulder of its occupant possessively.
“I wasn’t asking you.” Kanon glared.
Churi shrugged and turned to Jurina, “Let’s share an obento together.” She smiled.
“I’d love to, but unfortunately there’s some things I need to attend today.” Jurina declined politely.
The smile on Churi’s face fell, “Aww, but my friends really wanted to spend some time with you too.” She added.
Kanon removed Churi’s hand from Jurina’s shoulder, “You didn’t hear? Jurina-san definitely said she was busy.” The girl chided.
Churi ignored Kanon and this time grabbed onto Jurina's hand instead.
“Go on ahead without me. I’ll pay a visit to the cafeteria when I’m done.” Jurina said.
“…Okay, I’ll be expecting you then.” Churi looked disappointed, she removed her hand and got off the desk to leave the room in a sulk.
Kanon eyed Jurina’s back as she also stood up and walked towards the exit, but not before patting the girl on the head first.
Jurina walked out of the room and a refreshing breeze blew by. The cool air circulated around her figure as she took in the sunlight. The white corridors of their aesthetic school were an open area and with her high class being on the second floor she had a view of the opposing balcony mirrored by doors to neighboring classes. In between the building down below was a vast courtyard filled with students, beautifully green and flourished by an amazing garden’s worth of extravagant flowers.
The creak of a door opening on the opposite side of the building sounded loudly and Jurina’s attention was turned to look across the canvas. Tilting her head to get a better look as a person closed the door, a smile instantly came to her.
With a water bottle and a book in hand, Jurina watched as Rena tilted to the side to get a better look at the other end. A gentle breeze put a sigh through the older girl’s hair and how she gently brushed back the long silky locks sent a flutter to Jurina’s chest.
…Slowly, a hypnotic rhythm played itself melodically into her heart.
Rena began to walk and diametrically opposed from the young teacher silently, Jurina began to mirror the action. The warm smile she held as she kept her eyes on the woman never once left her features. Just the two of them in importance, the rest of the word seemingly drowned out…
Making her way through the hallway, Rena occasionally stopped to bow respectfully at the teachers who passed by. The captivating glimmer of innocence in Rena’s eyes as she smiled courteously brought the younger girl back to a familiar time and again she recalled the pleasant memory of summer. Jurina also paused from time to time in order to return polite greetings to friends, but never did her gaze on the student teacher ever lose their focus.
Enamored, Jurina continued staring on across the balcony at the unsuspecting person. To the student, with each step her view was simply beautiful. Rena’s attention was suddenly shifted to a couple of wagtail birds previously perched on the railing beside her and with a knuckle under her lips she watched as the two soared away into the mist of their blue haven.
As the birds flew away drifting out of sight and into the clouds, Rena looked down and smiled to herself seemingly enjoying her break. Coming near the end of the hallway Jurina stopped not wanting to expose herself and eyed as Rena made her way down the stairs. The student had a couple seconds to herself, before deciding to head for a nearby railing.
She glanced down at the exquisite view of the building’s front entrance. The yard was a beautiful field lined with pear trees and its flowers, a little pass the prime of their blossom. The dark tree trunks breathtakingly in contrast to the snow white flowers occasionally, drifting to the ground.
Then surely enough Rena came back into Jurina’s line of vision.
Rena made her way under a tree and sat down. Her slim legs were extended out and crossed comfortably on the grass. She wore a stylish white long sleeved blouse and a slick black skirt completely complimentary to the tree and together they painted an exotic portrait of fall.
Jurina gazed as the teacher began to read, but quirked a brow when the young woman stopped to set the book down in her lap and took out something she couldn’t make out. The girl from above squinted her eyes to get a clearer focus and witnessed Rena pop something into her mouth, before drinking liquid down to help her swallow it.
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Over the next couple of days Jurina observed her young teacher the one who held an innocent gaze, frail and elegant in posture, yet uncharacteristically outspoken and slightly timid in manner.
Jurina gently tapped the end of her pencil on the surface of her desk as she smiled to herself. With her gaze on the text of a passage from her book she couldn’t help it, but to enjoy the sound of her educator’s voice as the woman cracked another unnecessary saying. She was oddly poetic, and to Jurina’s revelation she was also very good at it too.
The class became silent, pondering on the said words and nodded consensually to its deep meaning. Jurina’s eyes lit up as an idea came to her and she raised a hand, gaining much attention.
At the action, Rena walked over to the student and with a small smile she gestured for the girl to speak her mind.
“I’d like to exchange a few lines of poetry with Matsui-sensei.” Jurina’s eyes sought out to stare confidently into her advocate.
Rena blinked in surprise at the unexpected request. She stared on mouth slightly agape, until a full smile graced her delicate features. She nodded in approval and tilted her head a little in amusement, “Theme?” she asked the younger girl.
“Hmm,” Jurina scanned the room until she caught sight of something in the backdrop of their grand veranda. “…Flowers.” She answered, her face showing signs of satisfaction.
Rena licked her lips slightly entertained and watched as Jurina stood up from her seat with the thin textbook still in hand. The young girl cleared her throat and began to walk closer to her teacher who in turn slowly took a few steps back.
“…Following the scent, there is indeed a flower.” Jurina halted in her collective steps and lifted her head up, her eyes gazing intently into the woman before her.
Realizing that she had been backed up into the speech podium, Rena took a few seconds to think of a reply. “Who has heard of a butterfly that shamelessly tramples over a flower?” She questioned in return.
The class remained speechless, just gawking up at the fortuitous debate in front of them. Everyone turned their attention to Jurina who has yet to make another comeback.
“It is natural for a butterfly to light down upon a lovely flower.” Jurina smirked.
Although impressed, Rena remained calm and replied. “It’s not a flower for just anyone to land on...” With that said she began to move from her spot, but again her student followed.
“There is no case where the flower loves the butterfly.” Jurina reasoned with a pleased smiled.
“S-sensei!” Kanon abruptly stood up from her seat.
Jurina turned around to face the afflicted girl, “…Kimoto-san?” Rena questioned.
Kanon flinched at the call of her name and looked down a bit irritated, “I’m sorry to interrupt, but c-can…we get back to reading? …There’s still a lot I don’t understand.” She stuttered out a quick excuse.
At that sentence, Rena shot Jurina a glance and the younger girl merely smiled warmly in return.
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Jurina stared down from the balcony, yet for another day. She carefully jotted something down on a red sheet of paper and folded it into a neat paper airplane. Closing one eye playfully as to aim for the right direction she tossed the folded object off the railing.
In contrast to the blue sky, the crimson colored airplane glided beautifully into the air and landed at the feet of the young teacher down below. Rena looked away from her book, having caught sight of the bright object and reached out for the item.
The corners of Jurina’s mouth quirked up in a delighted grin. When Rena lifted herself up to look in the young girl’s direction though, she quickly duct down in embarrassment. Hidden from view, Jurina thought more clearly about her actions.
“Are you not eating Matsui-san?” Yagami Kumi an acquainted fourth year asked.
Jurina glanced up stoically at the voice and slowly stood back up like she hadn’t been doing anything suspicious and shook her head no. “Are you looking for Kanon?” she guessed.
Kumi’s eyes widened. She looked down at her hands, which she clenched and unclenched nervously, her face deepening to the red shade of someone who’d just came back from a trip to Cancun. At that moment, she looked back up at Jurina and admitted truthfully. “…Y-yeah.” She said.
“She’s kind of upset right now, still in class though.” Jurina answered.
The other girl looked curious, “Why is she upset?” she asked.
“…Something about publically flirting like old people.” Jurina chuckled, her hand behind her neck guiltily.
Kumi nodded, “I see…thanks.” She replied.
Just as the fourth year turned to leave Jurina stopped her, “I was wondering…” she started.
“Hmm?” Kumi returned her gaze.
“…Are you going to eat that?” Jurina gave a shy laugh. She left a hand behind her short raven mane and pointed at the fruit in the grasp of Kumi’s palm.
In response, the shorter girl returned her smile and tossed the fruit over to Jurina who made a perfect catch. “Thanks, I appreciate it!” Jurina beamed. She took a bite out of the apple and made her way down the stairs energetically as Kumi headed off to find Kanon.
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The open field was deserted of anyone else’s presence, except for Rena. Turning a page in her beloved book, the young woman set a small business card in between the compacted seam and set it aside. She picked up the red paper airplane and observed the object. Noticing pen marks, she opened a slick piece that surprisingly led to a poem.
‘As we watch the summer days depart and the natural blossoms of silence fall, little mist of starlight just beyond our reach, a dreamy sadness fills each heart. As the rooted trees stand forsaken, even our garden seems a dreary place, no brilliant flowers in its border grace, save in a sheltered nook apart, where a glee beneath the autumn sun, blooms the longing of our own chrysanthemum.’
Rena’s eyes scanned over each word and she read the small passage two more times, before crossing her arms in thought of what it could mean. “Blooms the longing of our own chrysanthemum…chrysanthemum…chrysanthemum?” She repeated the phrase and thought back to where she’d last heard the familiar word before.
At the sound of calm footsteps, Rena looked up at the shadowy figure that casted towards her. With lips slightly apart she opened her mouth to speak, but the student placed an index finger over her lips and the teacher was suddenly refrained from doing so.
Rena watched silently as Jurina set down her hand and gazed up to admire the falling pear tree blossoms. The teacher followed the action in curiosity, but stopped to look back at the younger girl who had just stuck out her arm.
Letting the tiny flowers drift into her palm, the girl caught a couple and then put her hands behind her back. “Watch carefully…” Jurina’s voice was in a soft whisper as she made her command and Rena waited patiently.
Slowly Jurina undid her hidden arm and extended out a fist towards Rena. With a snap of her fingers, the young girl threw up the once captive blossoms into the air. Rena watched in awe as the snow white buds danced into the air and in one swift swipe, cutting into the artistic display…Jurina held out a single beautifully white chrysanthemum in front of the bewildered woman.
Rena remained still, her heart beating faster bit by bit as she stared wide-eyed at the girl holding a flower out towards her. Not really knowing how to react she hesitantly reached out for the offering and smiled back timidly.
“…Was that a magic trick just now?” Rena asked looking up from the flower that was now in the clasp of her hand.
“Hmm...Maybe.” Jurina hummed a simple reply.
Rena shifted her eyes in thought and then smiled, “Where a glee beneath the autumn sun, blooms the longing of our own chrysanthemum…I suppose you know the meaning to this line?”
For the first time Jurina dropped her gaze, but after a moment of blinking to herself the girl looked back up confidently. “I’m asking for your friendship.” She boldly confessed.
Rena tilted her head, slightly taken aback by yet another unexpected request from the same girl. She thought about it for half a second then let out a small giggle, extending out her hand as she agreed. “Let’s be good friends then Matsui-san.” She smiled.
“…Jurina.” The student corrected her teacher and reached out a hand to return the handshake, her slim fingertips gently grazing over the soft porcelain skin of Rena’s own in the process.
The images of lanterns, flowers, fireworks, and a certain kitsune masked stranger instantly flashed through Rena’s mind. She could hear the distinct sounds of rowdy festival music drum into her ears and as if a match was lit up igniting memories for the woman she immediately glanced up from their linked hands to look at Jurina.
“Rena-chan!” At the call of her name Rena looked away from Jurina and quickly let go of the girl’s hand. From a distance, another young woman stood holding a small box while waving an arm wildly into the air.
A broad smile stretched onto Rena’s face, “Airin!” she waved back.
Jurina turned to look as the outsider made her way to them just slightly out of breath. She quietly observed as Rena welcomes the woman into her arms for a friendly embrace.
“I brought you delicious inarizushi and vegie tempura.” The woman passed the box to Rena who gladly took it in, but not before setting the flower in her hand down first.
Feeling awkward, Jurina bit onto her bottom lip and tapped her shoes against the ground. She halted when a small business card caught her attention and she bent down to pick it up. Rena who had taken notice shifted over.
Jurina scanned over the card and stood back up. It was an informational card for Tokyo Disney with dated events on the back. Jurina furrowed her eyebrows at the item and Rena opened her mouth to speak. “Ah, I must’ve dropped that.” The student teacher claimed and at the said statement, Jurina handed it back over to the woman.
Also taking a glance at the card, “That reminds me! I’m really sorry, but I don’t think I can pick you up after your shift at Disney next Saturday.” Airi apologized using the both of her hands.
“Its fine, I think I can manage.” Rena replied, she set down the box next to her other personal things and placed a hand on the shorter person’s shoulder.
“Are you sure it’ll be okay?” Airi’s voice was full of concern and from their interactions Jurina could tell they were extremely close.
“…Excuse me, Matsui-sensei.” Jurina bowed respectfully after feeling out of place and proceeded to leave, but a voice stopped her.
“I apologize for interrupting you two earlier. You must be a student of Rena-chan right?” Jurina nodded and the woman continued, “I’m Furukawa Airi, it’s nice to meet you.” She beamed.
Jurina glanced from the woman then back to Rena, and Airi took notice of the lingering gaze. “Your sensei is pretty isn’t she?” Airi put an arm over her friend’s shoulder. At this playful remark, Rena turned to the woman and whined.
Jurina made sure to gaze into Rena’s eyes before speaking, “…She’s very lovely.” she answered.
The student backed away after speaking her honest opinion and bowed, then left…Rena’s eyes remained on the girl’s back as she left the scene and felt a distant, yet familiar feeling arise somewhere inside of her.
Slowly Rena brought a hand to her lips and bit onto the nail of her index finger nervously. She couldn’t tell what it was exactly that bothered her, but a nagging sensation kept its probe on the back of her mind anyways…
Seeming in a daze, “Rena-chan…Rena?” Airi called out.
“Hmm?” The taller girl immediately turned to look at her friend.
Airi’s gaze softened and she removed Rena’s hand away from her mouth. “Are you okay? …You didn’t forget to take your medication did you?” She asked the concern was etched deeply into her voice as she makes eye contact with her friend.
Rena’s eyes widened in horror and quickly studied her slightly trembling hands, “…I took it earlier.” She said.
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Jurina made her way back up the stairs, the loud echoing of footsteps clear and evident that she wasn’t alone. Without turning around to check who it was she spoke, “What do you want from me?” she asked competently.
“Are you going to keep on ignoring me forever?” A female voice returned.
Jurina let out a scoff, “You left me remember?” she bitterly replied.
Two slender arms sensually snaked itself around Jurina’s torso, the girl’s smooth fingers slowly fanning out over the fabric covering her midsection. “…You won’t understand.” She spoke, her voice with a hint of agony.
“Exactly, I meant nothing to you that’s why…” Jurina casted her eyes downwards as repressed memories began to resurface.
The girl tightened her hold and pressed up her firm body against Jurina’s back. “…That’s not true.” The girl shook her head. “You have no idea just how much…I miss you.” Her voice slightly cracked and a hot tear slid down her cheek.
Jurina immediately placed her hands over the pair that clasped around her body and broke the hold. She turned around and her eyes hesitantly looked up to gaze into the eyes of the girl she hasn’t been able to face for a while.
“Annin…” Jurina breathed. She reached up a hand to wipe away the girl’s tears and they stared into each other. After a couple of seconds, the taller girl sighed, shook her head, and walked away.
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A/N: Sorry, draggy chapter you guys. I hope it wasn’t all that boring. This chapter took a while to update, because I thought I should update on my other fics first so yeah. Hmm…the ending scene for Rena to this chapter is a strange one don’t you think? Lol, thanks for all the love and support so far just for the prologue ahah! I promise a more delicious update in the future hehe. Then there’s grammar issues -___-“
Topic: [Blog Update 12/2/2012] Forbidden Flower | WMATSUI +Annin (Read 28776 times)