Art Affairs
Ch.3 You’re fading away from me
“Matsui-san, can you do me a favor and take these papers to the office?” Rena’s home teacher asked. It was already the end of class. Jurina and Rena were getting ready to go home. “Hai!” Rena responded and grabbed the huge load of papers. “You go ahead without me,” Rena told Jurina. “It’s okay! I’ll wait for you don’t worry about it,” Jurina replied as she packed her notebook into her bag. As Rena walked out of the classroom, Jurina called out, “I’ll wait for you in front of the art wing.” “Okay!” Rena yelled back and grinned. Rena was in a really good mood. It had been a good day for her. Rena was excited about the class field trip to the to museum in the nearby city and were staying overnight in a hotel. The whole thing was exciting to Rena. On top of that Rena’s parents were planning to get her a bike. Rena would no longer have to walk to school. Even though Rena wondered how she would be able to go to school with Jurina since Jurina didn’t own a bike, but she figure she just go slow so that Jurina could walk besides her.
Even with her good mood, taking paperwork to the office was still a hassle though. Finally, Rena reached the school office. The office secretary greeted her with a bright face and said, “Ah, I was waiting for those!” Rena gave her a polite smile and handed the paperwork to her. “Thank you so much!” the secretary beamed as she walked out. As Rena walked to the remote art wing, she saw something that made her mouth drop. It was Jurina laughing with Kinomoto-sensei. Not your the average laughing. No it was loud, cry because something is just too funny kind of laugh. Jurina had one arm resting on the wall and another in her stomach as she laughed and sensei was at the door of the room laughing along with her. Rena felt a pang of jealously as she watched the scene unfold. Rena had never seen Jurina so happy around someone other than herself. What could have sensei said to provoke such reaction?
“Jurina!” Rena called out making her presence known. Jurina quickly composed herself as if Rena was walking in into a secret joke. Rena frowned when she noticed this. What on earth was going on? Perhaps Rena was overacting, but her gut told her otherwise. ”Are you ready to go?” Rena asked coldly. Rena didn’t mean to sound that way, but something about the situation irked her. Jurina didn’t seem to notice though and just replied, “Sure! Bye, sensei!” “Bye, girls! Take care!” sensei waved goodbye and walked into his room. The two girls began to walk home in silence. The silence bothered Rena. The silence confirmed her beliefs that there was something weird going on between sensei and Jurina. Yet wasn’t Rena being paranoid? Didn’t Jurina and sensei just meet? As soon as they were outside of school, Jurina squealed, “I think I am in love!” “Ehh!!!!” uttered a bewildered Rena. Jurina giggled at her shocked expression and replied, ” What’s with that shocked face? It’s just isn’t sensei cute?”
Rena stayed silent unsure of what to reply. Rena's expression sadden as she realized that she wasn’t the person Jurina loved the most anymore. Finally Rena got the guts to say, “But you just met him! He’s a complete stranger And he is a teacher!” “There is such thing as love at first sight! Besides its not like he is that old!” Jurina retorted. Rena sighed. Of course Rena knew that Jurina would eventually fall in love with someone else, but… It still tore her heart to pieces. It forced her to deal with feelings she had been running away from. Jurina didn’t seem to notice Rena’s upset expression and went on, “You probably think it’s weird falling for a teacher not to mention it probably would impossible, but…” ”It’ll be okay,” Rena forced a smile. Rena wanted to be supportive to Jurina since she was her best friend, but in reality she felt the opposite. The rest of the way home was as awkward, well for Rena. Jurina didn’t seem to notice Rena’s gloomy mood and went on and on about her new crush. “Bye, Rena!” Jurina waved good bye when she reached her house. “Bye!” Rena waved back weakly.
The next day, Rena dreaded going to school. Rena didn’t want to hear Jurina talk about sensei anymore. Rena didn’t think she be able to stand it. In spite of her depressing situation, Rena couldn’t help, but to laugh along with Jurina as they joked around together before school started. “Go ahead without me! I am going to go see if I can see sensei,” Jurina told Rena as they headed to their lockers. Rena responded with a sad look, but Jurina didn’t seem to notice once more. When Rena walked to class, she headed to her small brown locker. Rena twisted the lock of her locker. Finally, it opened, and a degusting smell hit her. There was rotten fruit on top of her shoes. Great that was just great. Rena was already dreading that day as it was and to top it off someone decided it was the perfect day to mess with her locker. Rena closed it again not wanting to deal with it. Rena took her seat. Rena felt silly doing it, but she put her palms together, closed her eyes, and began to pray. Rena prayed for all the bad things to go away. Rena felt crazy while doing it, but did it anyways. Then she heard a familiar giggle. “Rena! What are you doing silly?” Jurina asked with a giggle. Rena couldn’t help, but to giggled back. “I’ve got no clue,” Rena laughed at herself. Rena decided not to worry Jurina with her whole locker issue. It just wasn’t worth it. Besides, Jurina cheered her up like a ray of sunshine in a rainy day. Jurina always did. Jurina was her light. Rena didn’t want to give Jurina up and yet Jurina had found someone else.
Rena frowned as the class began and sighed. The time she detested came around quickly. Art class. Having to see that idiot’s face. The idiot that stole Jurina’s heart from her… As Jurina and Rena made their way down stairs, Jurina stopped. Rena kept going not noticing that Jurina had stopped and was surprised when Jurina grabbed her arm to stop her. “I have a favor to ask you for,” Jurina explained. The stairs began to become empty as people rushed to class. Jurina was silent and didn’t move. Rena got worried. Jurina hated getting late to class. What could be so important to make Jurina make them late? Although Rena could guess what it was Rena hoped it was something else. Anything.
“You’re scaring me, Jurina,” Rena pointed out nervously speaking her mind. Jurina just smiled nervously. “What favor do you want to ask me?” Rena asked again. “Please help me confess to Kinomoto-sensei!” Jurina blurted out and put her palms together in a pleading gesture and bowed. Rena’s heart felt heavy. Rena’s heart was filled of unspeakable pain. Even her face looked pained. This was what Jurina asking help for. Rena would do anything for Jurina even if it hurt her so she replied, “Sure, I’ll help you.” Rena wondered if Jurina notice her voice was shaking. Rena wondered if Jurina could tell how much her words hurt her. “Thank you so much!” Jurina exclaimed in relief and pulled Rena into a hug. Rena hugged her back weakly. Jurina finally pulled away after a while and waved goodbye as she walked to her own art class. Rena didn’t get in too much trouble for getting to class late because sensei liked her. Just what Rena needed. Rena sighed and tried to focus on her art, but she couldn’t.
How in the world was Rena suppose to help Jurina confess if she didn’t want her to? School ended and Jurina waited for Rena to walk home together as usual. Rena didn’t really feel like talking to her. Rena knew that talking to her would lead to having to help her plan her confession and Rena was dreading that. “Nee, Rena-chan would you come with me to buy sensei a small present? I want to give him something when I confess,” Jurina asked Rena as they walked home. Rena felt like crying. Jurina never had use honorifics like chan before, but somehow managed to keep it together and say, “Sure thing!” Jurina smiled and tugged her arm. Was sensei changing that much about their relationship? “Well, let’s go!” Jurina exclaimed and pulled Rena to the art supply where they first met. Rena couldn’t hold it in anymore. He was stealing everything from her.
“I need to go to the restroom. I’ll catch up to you later!” Rena lied and took off quickly to hide her tears. Rena heard Jurina reply “Okay,” at the distance. As soon as Jurina was out of sight she began to run. Rena finally reached the restroom and locked herself in the nearest restroom stall. Luckily it was empty so Rena was free to cry to her heart’s content. Rena began to sob hard and wrapped her arms around herself. Why did Jurina have to fall in love? Why did it have to hurt so much? Rena stayed there crying for a while. Finally Rena stopped, walked out and looked for Jurina. Rena felt better after letting her emotions out, but she still felt like a mess. Finally, Rena spotted Jurina in the drawing aide. Rena was sort of relief she didn’t find her in the paints aide. That would of been more painful. Rena watched as Jurina looked at erasers struggling to choose one.
After a few seconds, Jurina noticed her presence and asked, “Which one do you like? A good eraser is never a bother to an artsy type, right?” Jurina sounded unsure. In spite Rena’s opposition to the confession she answered honestly, “Go for the white eraser. It’s basic and efficient.” Maybe it was because even though Rena hated the idea of Jurina falling for someone else she just wanted Jurina to be happy. Rena didn’t want to see Jurina sad or crying. Rena wished for Jurina’s happiness even if it was painful for her. Jurina smiled and grabbed the white eraser listening to Rena’s advice. Jurina talked about her plan to confess to sensei the whole way home. Rena’s job was to lure sensei into the auditorium. Jurina would be waiting there with the small present. Rena would then excuse herself and leave. Finally, Jurina would confess to sensei. Rena thought about faking being sick tomorrow, but knew that would be mean to Jurina that had her hopes and guts set on confessing to sensei the next day.
Rena didn’t even want to think of the outcome. It couldn’t possibly be good, but Rena didn’t have the heart to tell Jurina that. Instead Rena wished Jurina the best. The next day was cloudy almost like it was reflecting Rena’s mood. Jurina had called her saying to go ahead to school without her so she was stuck walking school by herself for the first time in a long time. It made Rena more lonely than what she already been feeling. Rena missed hearing Jurina’s laugh as the joked while they walked. Rena missed Jurina upbeat personality and sweet warm smile. Rena was scared that those things would go away because of sensei. Rena groaned remembered her locker. Rena had forgotten about it all. When Rena got to class she began to clean her locker while she waited for Jurina to arrive. What could be keeping Jurina?
Rena covered her nose as the smelly fruit released it’s foul scent. “What happened?” her classmate Airi asked with curiously on her voice. Rena shrugged and replied, “Who knows? Just a prank I guess.” Airi looked concerned, but didn’t push the subject. “So, where’s Jurina? It’s weird to see you without her,” Airi pointed out. Rena shrugged again and answered, “She just said she was going to be late not to wait for her.” Airi just nodded and left when her friends called her. Rena looked at the clock and began to worry. Just how late was Jurina planning to be and what was she doing? Finally, just a minute before class started Jurina rushed into class. Jurina nearly tripped as she rushed to her seat. It was so strange to see usually graceful Jurina be such a mess.
“What took you so long?” Rena whispered. Jurina just laughed and cheerfully answered, “I was wrapping sensei’s present.” Jurina pulled out a small white elegant box with a pink bow on it. “Oh,” Rena mumbled. Class began and Rena started to panic. It was almost time for Jurina to confess. Rena felt nerves get the best of her and began to twirl a strand of hair nervously. Rena observed Jurina in front of her. Jurina did not even look slightly nervous. How the hell did Jurina stay so calm all the time? Rena was even more of a nervous wreck than Jurina was and Rena wasn’t even confessing to a teacher. At lunch Rena couldn’t eat her lunch due to nerves. Jurina, on the other hand, couldn’t stop eating and ate Rena’s lunch.
Finally, their home room teacher released them to go home. Jurina grabbed Rena’s hand. Rena felt her heart beat rapidly in her chest. “You remember the plan, right?” Jurina asked softly. Rena simply nodded. Jurina smiled and said, “I’ll be waiting.” Rena nodded again weakly. Rena made her way towards the Kinomoto sensei’s art class. What was Rena suppose to tell him? Hey come with me my best friend wants to confess to you??? Rena groaned. Sensei was packing up getting ready to go home. “Ano, Kinomoto-sensei?” Rena said unsure of what else to say. Sensei looked up and smiled happy to see his star pulpit. “Ah, Matsui-san! How may I help you?” sensei asked. Rena looked down wondering what excuse to say. “mmm… I wanted to show you something! I know that’s pretty vague, but you’ll see when we get there,” Rena explained embarrassed at her poor excuse. “Okay, I guess that be alright,” sensei said. He began to follow her to Jurina’s location. Finally, Rena opened the large wooden auditorium doors. Jurina was standing there staring at sensei’s present. A wave of sympathy hit Rena as she saw Jurina worried expression. Jurina had guts. Confessing let alone to a teacher. Jurina had the guts Rena would never have. Sensei looked surprised.
“What did you need to show me, Matsui-san?” sensei asked. Rena gave Jurina one last painful look. A glance that said it’s all up to you now. “She’ll tell you sensei,” Rena said and walked out of the room leaving the two together. Now, the hard part as waiting, wondering. Would Jurina be alright? Suddenly, Rena realized how selfish she had been. There was no way sensei could accept her confession. Jurina was setting herself for rejection and yet Rena was freaking out about her own feelings. Had Rena really been there for Jurina? The door flew open. Sensei walked out in a rush, Jurina present tossed aside on top of his stuff like something unimportant. Panic began to spread in Rena’s veins. Would Jurina be alright?