Sunset Rose
Chapter 1
"The last summer sunset, I feel like this is the end of childhood."
Shiori's poetic tendencies still surprised me, even though she's been my friend for as long as I can remember. Looking at her she doesn't seem very deep, but every once in a while she'll say something inspired.
"We're only starting junior high school Shiori-chan" said Koji laughing. "Still the view from here is pretty amazing, though the smell of roses would make me feel sick after a while."
Koji, the 3rd member of our trio. Although he has been in the same class as Shiori and I since we entered Ohtori Academy, he only really became friends with us during the past year or so. At first it was weird, it had been just Shiori and I for so long, and I've never really been friends with or even paid attention to boys before, but now I can't imagine him not being there. The long summer together brought us all closer than before.
"Why are you living here Juri-san? Your family's so rich you could've just gotten one of those mansions like the rest of the rich bitches, instead of living here with us commoners."
"Well I wouldn't want to miss out on all the dorm-girl fun"
I said, a little meaning behind the joke. Truth is I found big, grand houses, like the one I used to live in with my family, cold and lonely. At home my time was spent moving from empty room to empty room, the only time I ever felt really at home was when I was with Shiori or Koji.
"Well enjoy your girly-girl dorms ladies" Koji said winking, "Try not to get all sissy living here. See you tomorrow! "
I tried to watch as he descended the stone steps into the rose garden, but the west facing patio of our dorms captured the sunlight so much that it made me squint. I didn't even see Shiori move.
"Here," she beamed, "a housewarming present. It reminded me of you, Juri."
I turned to her. A fresh picked rose, its petals matching the palette of orange and apricot of the sunset in front of us. I gingerly took it from her delicate fingers. The feel of her soft skin and unyielding stem, the heady scent of roses, her big deep brown eyes reflecting the dying glow of the sun. I'll never forget that moment, not even when the thorns prick.
"So, what clubs are you thinking of taking, this year?" Koji asked looking on the board with the list, "There's so many more we can choose from now we've moved up."
"I don't know, I suppose I might do flower arranging with Shiori." I replied shrugging.
"Aww... c'mon! You always do everything with her, why not do fencing with me instead, I don't want to be the only one without a sparring partner."
And so that afternoon we went over to the hall. It was weird being alone with Koji as we waited for the fencing club to start. It made me realize just how much time I spent with Shiori, it felt as if I'd left a part of me behind. Thinking about this made me a bit ashamed, was I really one of those pathetic people who couldn't be without their best friend even for one afternoon?
"Heeey!, Is he making you blush Juri-san?" Koji mocked.
"Shut up!"
To be honest I didn't even notice the tall upperclassman practicing below us. His rapier seemed to glide through the air and the graceful way he dodged and weaved looked like dancing. There was no way I could do that. As he took off his helmet, a cascade of azure blue hair tumbled out. A gaggle of girls who came to watch gasped simultaneously, that made me feel a little less worse about myself.
Tsuchiya Ruka, captain of the fencing team.
We got kitted out in fencing gear and given our own rapiers. The jacket and helmet were a lot more cumbersome than Ruka made it seem. After being shown a few jabs and parries Koji and I started our first spar. At first we were both tentative, not wanting to hurt each other, but after a while we relaxed. After a while of blocking each other's moves Koji started to swing and jab harder and harder, making me doge and duck faster and faster. However that left me a chance to gain an easy point on his unguarded torso. After that something just clicked. Fencing just seemed natural.
When the club had finished and I was packing my things, Ruka came up to me,
"That was some pretty good fencing there for a beginner, I hope you continue coming to the club, you'll be a great addition to the team some day... plus you look pretty cute in a fencing jacket."
"Uuuuh... thanks, I guess."
I hurriedly packed the rest of my stuff and left walking as fast as I could. I couldn't tell if he was joking or not but I'd never really had to deal with a serious pass from a guy before and it crept me out a little.
"Hey watch it!"
I looked down to see a small, blonde girl glaring back at me with eyes like thunderclouds.
"Nanami, come back here."
Kiryuu Touga, a member of one of the rich and powerful elites in Ohtori Academy, although he was only a year older than me he was starting to get quite the reputation.
"Don't mind my sister, she's just a child and doesn't know nobility when she sees it."
"I told you I'm not like that" I rebuked.
"Whatever you say" Touga replied snickering, " But you know it wouldn't hurt to play the game once in a while, I mean look at me I'm a student council member now, I could give you a good word if you make it worth my while..."
"Congratulations and thanks! But I've got to go"
That was enough of uncomfortable situations for one day.
I was relieved to get back in the dorm. Shiori had made some tea and there was a bouquet of peach roses on the cabinet. I smiled. My new home.
"Welcome back Juri-san. Was fencing fun?"
"Yes surprisingly. I beat Koji though he'll swear he just let me do it. I'm sorry I couldn't go to flower arranging with you."
"That's okay, but could you do something for me?"
"Of course"
"Could you... could you sleep in my bed again tonight? I get so lonely by myself. "
The little things she did for me touched me more than I knew. Life was so sweet back then.
Red means love. White means purity. Black means death. Pink means appreciation. Yellow means joy. Blue means the unobtainable. Orange...
I pace the room as she sleeps, I knew its wrong but I couldn't help peeking at her in her slumber. Her free flowing auburn locks spread over the pillow. Her pixie like features so peacefully arranged. The curves of her athletic yet feminine body.
Orange means desire.
Ever since I was little the meaning of the colours of roses have been like testament to me. My parents were florists and instead of learning colours from books or paint, I learnt them from lilies, irises and roses. Roses. Orange roses.
I wish she could see the message. Juri. I desire you.
She's always been beautiful, ever since we were children. That bittersweet mix of the desire to be her and be with her, love and jealousy intertwined.
Why do I even feel this way? She's a girl. I'm a girl. That's not even possible.
But all I want to do is touch her, hold her. Asking her to lie next to me was a mistake. I can barely keep myself in check. But still I did it.
Her smell. Even my clothes and hair are starting to smell like her. This is everything I've ever wanted.
I'm going too far. I need to stop this, somehow.
