A/N: Sorry for the gramatical disaster. Problems of being a Spanish teenager, I guess. See you in the next chapter, if you prompt me that it will be a good idea to continue translating.
The days were always the same. Always the same empty sky, the same sun that failed to shine over the years. The same cold, dry air that took the breath with barely any effort. Always the same; I was starting to get tired.
I got up very early to go to the shrine before going to class. Honestly, I would rather not getting up. It was a gray and heavy day, with a solitary surroundings like almost everyday, in fact. Get up alone, to continue alone all the day. Somewhere in my body I could feel that I didn't deserve to have an everyday like that, but it was what the stars have for me.
I liked helping in the shrine. That way, my spiritual power became stronger and more intense. I felt more confidence in myself without having to have contact with anyone. Not because I didn't want it, but it was not my thing...
The streets were almost empty, except for a couple of adults who came to work. Adults working for support their families. Adults living independently. I also lived alone, and worked in the shrine to pay the rent of my apartment. I might considered myself as an independent person but I didn't want. I thought that after all, I was still a high school girl, with no major concerns that studies, or physical figure, as most. I sighed with barely noticing it, before reaching my "work". I went in and I put on my clothes of volunteer to go to clean the ground, full of dry leaves and some other package. I never understood why people were always messing holy places like that, but I was happy to help collecting it.
When I finished, about half an hour later, I dressed in my school uniform and headed the preparatory Otonokizaka at a slow and steady pace, trying to appreciate the beauty of autumn in Japan. I got lost in my thoughts without much sense, and before I knew it, I had reached the high school. You could see a few groups of friends chatting and sharing interests in common. Ignoring them, I went into the building and up the stairs to my classroom. I was walking without too much difficulty among bigger groups who were in the halls, practically preventing the passage. When I saw the poster in my class I went over there and got in, sitting in the corner, next to the window. I always sat there; in my world. Others seemed to prefer sites closest to the front, there was even a free spot right in front of me. It's not like I cared ... I guess I was happy that way, appreciating the world through the window every day. Yeah, I guess ...
I used to read when I had nothing else to do, both during breaks and in classes that seemed too boring. Nobody used to come and talk to me, and if they did, it was to ask me a prediction of the future. They only knew me from my tarot cards, just that. I was not much more than a body without a soul for the rest of my classmates.
Shortly after my arrival in class, our teacher also arrived. Next, the class representative stood; We imitated her.
"Salute!" She said. We lean forward slightly as a polite bow, something normal that we carried out every day. Then we went back to sit, and the sensei began talking.
"Good morning everyone. Before starting the class today, we have a new partner with us. She's foreign so please, do make her feel like at home. Go ahead, Ayase-san!"
My eyes widened almost out of its orbit when that young woman with bright blond hair made its appearance in our class. She called a lot my attention, seeming different. Perhaps it was because of her blue, deep and beautiful eyes... Who knows.
"Nice to meet you, my name is Ayase Eri and I'm Russian. Let's get along."
She spoke those words with a cold, dry and threatening tone. She was frowning, but still looked beautiful. The features of her face were very delicate, and her body was perfectly proportioned. To my surprise, she walked to occupy the site (until then empty) that was right in front of me.
The sensei continued his explanation of an issue of biology that I couldn't distinguish; I was too lost in my own world. Half the time I spent watching my surroundings: the empty courtyard, along with dry leaves moved by the air performing a perfect and natural choreography; the class ambience, conversations with those little paper notes and those who slept secretly trying to avoid detection; and that day especially, that new strange and rude girl, transmitting the character of Russia by just moving her lips.
When the little free time we had arrived mid-morning, a few girls came to Eri looking for friendship or just giving her a place in their clubs. She rejected them in a way very edge, and left alone. The girls were sad, but they chose not to insist.
The morning passed as usual, nothing new, nothing unusual, nothing out of the ordinary, removing the behavior so different from the girl. I tried not to think so much about nonsense things like that, and I waited patiently for the time when we could go home. It had been a pretty busy day, I did nothing, but I was very tired. I decided to take a nap after eating something.
I cooked some noodles quickly and I ate them in record time. Too tired to scrub what was dirty, I put the dishes I had used in the sink and I went to my room. I lay on the bed and before long, my eyes closed, plunging me into a deep sleep.
~ The hurried steps and simultaneously calm of her classmates contrasted with the dull atmosphere that surrounded her. The quick movements confused her. She could feel something that even not knowing what was it, was broking her, opening a deep rift inside her. She fell into a bottomless pit from which she would never escape. A dark hole, without ground, without sky. The space began to fill with a shower of cards, tarot cards, her same deck. All the cards were the same. The Star. A card which meant among other things, hope and insight. Suddenly, in that rain of identicals cards, a distinction was made place. The Lovers. The Lovers and The Star. That could mean that a new love could be given... and received. All of a sudden, the darkness was blinded by a bright light, reflected by fair hair...~
I woke up hard breathing. What just happenes? Without knowing exactly why, I ran to the desk, I opened a drawer and took out my deck. All cards were there. I sighed deeply before I realized that it was night, and I had spent the aternoon in that kind of dream or nightmare.
I went to the kitchen again, and patiently put to boil rice. I sat melancholy and focused my eyes on the traditional porcelain tea sets; my mother had given then to me, and I love them. So I placed them in sight, helped me remember her even knowing all the kilometers that separated us. Lines of blue and red paint were drawn making semicircles eith loose and carefree strokes, transmitting peace and freedom. My mother knew me enough, she knew that I liked those spiritual feelings that made you feel closer to your interior.
As I finished dinner, I took a book from the backpack that I had left in the hall that afternoon when returned from class and read the lesson we gave. I had not heard exactly what we were doing, because a silky high ponytail who was right in front of me was my focus.
I have to stop thinking in such nonsense ... ah, rice!
I removed the fire just in time, with a snort strain relief. I poured some in a bowl and sat down at the table ready to eat it; alone, as usual. I had never stopped to think about my little social life until that day, I actually felt very happy, I couldn't complain. I had an apartment, I was doing well in school, I just felt loneliness in every corner...
The next morning, I was still feeling the feeling of loneliness that had never before felt so strongly. I dressed, had breakfast and left my apartment following the same route every day. When I got to school there were only a small group of girls talking about Idols or something like that, I ignored them and sat in my corner, staring out the window. The leaves moved by the wind struck me as so beautiful, seemed to have been rehearsing every move, every millimeter of flight. Nature made small miracles like that every second. The sound of air, the hidden sunlight, the beauty of life in all these events …
"Today we will work in pairs to do a report on different nationalities ..."
Without realizing it, the sensei had already entered the classroom and started to teach the class.
"Tachibana-san with Tetsuya-san ..."
It's funny how all the girls smile as they know they have to work with a friend of hers.
"Hashiri-san with Kaname-san ..."
Hanging out with someone who likes you should be fun.
"Kirigiri-san Asahina ..."
Today her blond hair looks even brighter ...
"Toujou-san with Ayase-san ..."
... Oh heavens ...
Ayase-san turned her chair to put it in front of me, sharing both my table. After the sensei give explanations about work, she spoke.
"We'll do it about Russia."
"O-okay..." I said. "But you're the only one who knows about Russia..."
Shee looked at me with a frown and snorted.
"Then I'll do everything ..."
Her answers made me nervous; not only by the fact that they were as edges, but also because she looked me in the eyes when she replied.
"Oh, no, we have to do it together, you mustn't do all the work."
"I'm the only one who knows about that country, therefore, leave it to me ..."
"We should spread the workload."
"No, I will do it..."
"... Ericchi!"
She was silent. A strong blush covered her face, and for the first time in our little conversation, she took her eyes away from mines. It was a mistake to have said that, I didn't even think about it. I just said it without thinking of the consequences. Although I had to admit that she was lovely with that red cheeks.
Eri, trying by all ways do not look into my eyes, gave me a paper and a pen.
"... So... I speak... and you write ..."
"Okay..."
She began to dictate a few sentences about Russian culture that I didn't understand. Nor I was keen to understand, but I liked the sound of her voice with that special accent and yet the Japanese so well spoken.
When she took a break, I looked up to meet her. When she saw me, she turned to blush and looked away. I couldn't do anything but let out a sweet and innocent giggle.
Ericchi, Ericchi, Ericchi, Ericchi. I just wanted to call her like that again and again, see that reaction every time I could.
"How are you going?" We hear the voice of the sensei at our side.
Ericchi handed the paper and he read with time and motivation. As he read the last sentences, he nodded.
"Okay. Okay. I think we should use this thing of couples more often ..."
I think so, sensei.
It wasn't long until the bell rang signaling the end of classes. I gathered my books and got up from the seat, giving Ericchi a pleasant smile before saying goodbye with a quick hand movement.
Downstairs, I had to hold the huge desire I had to smile like an idiot. It was difficult, but I barely made it. On the way back to my home, I freed myself from that burden and I started to laugh. I wasn't quite sure why, but I felt very happy. Very very happy.
"... Toujou-san, wait!"
I turned around and my breath somehow stopped. Looking at her running toward me could stop the beating of my heart.
"... What?"
When she reached me, she had to take a few moments to catch her breath.
"You dropped this after school ..."
She handed me a tarot card. The Lovers, to be exact. I smiled.
"Thank you ... Ericchi."
She turned to blush and her eyes were focused on the floor. "You're welcome."
"Oh by the way, Ericchi…"
"Yes ...?"
"You can call me Nozomi. "
She lifted her head and her beautiful blue eyes landed on my calm turquoise ones.
"Okay... Nozomi."