How It All Began
Author: Mitsui no Miko
Genre: WAFF
Date Finished: April 19, 2002
Rating: PG
The cold winter air nipped at my nose and caused me to sneeze. I heard faint laughter from the person beside me.
"Do'aho", I mouthed silently.
He just laughed softly, and said, "Lighten up, Kaede! It's normal for anybody to sneeze during times like these!"
Just as he said those words, he sneezed as well.
Seeing him in that state, with his face all wrinkled up, and his nose red from sneezing, made me smile.
"Do'aho, Akira", I said a little louder this time.
And as I expected, he just laughed at me.
How long has it been since we knew each other? I was a freshman at Shohoku and he was a sophomore at Ryonan. Ever since we met, we have become bitter rivals. Each time we encountered each other in the court, we refused to yield to each other. Yet, I guess petty rivalries can be overcome. I don't know when it started exactly. Maybe it was during the time when he graduated from Ryonan High and offered me words of advice. Words that were crucial to the new captain of Shohoku's basketball team.
Since that time, we became friends. Gradually. I have to admit that it took me a pretty long time to be at ease with him. It started out as Sendoh, then along the way, it changed to Akira-san, Akira-kun, and now, just plain Akira.
Just then, his voice interrupted my thoughts.
"You should smile more often, Kaede! You look good when you smile, you know!"
I didn't know if he was bluffing or not. But I just played along.
"Really, Akira? Then I'll smile for you if you want me to."
Upon hearing my own words, I felt giddy. I felt a warm, fuzzy feeling wash over me. It was unlike anything I have ever experienced before.
Maybe Akira felt the same way. I could have sworn, that time had stood still at that moment.
I looked at him, silhouetted against the roaring waves of the sea.
And I realized, at that moment, that I had fallen in love with him.
His expression changed into that of a hesitant smile, and I could feel him getting closer. So close, that I could feel his warm breath on me.
My heart pounded faster and more intensely than it ever did in my entire life.
Then suddenly, I felt his lips on mine.
A chaste kiss. That's when it all began.
"Ano… Akira… are we starting something here?", I finally managed to ask, after having regained the use of my five senses.
He just smiled, and hugged me.
No words could ever fully explain the depth of our feelings for each other.
It has been quite a while since that incident. He's twenty-five now, and I'm twenty-four. It seems funny for a guy to reminisce at this age. But I guess when you're in love, everything is possible.
OWARI