still her victor
Perfect.
A word which others would die for and some would voluntarily give.
But what exactly is perfection?
The absence of faults?
But then, perfection was achieved due to faults.
Then what exactly does this word amount to?
Especially to someone who doesn't want such.
Thoughts, ideas, and a lot more. Everyday, waking up in the morning was hard, going to school - harder. And as students while away the hours, educators would simply go on...talk and talk and talk once more. All these consumed her everyday quest. Books and more books.
She'd rather glance outside where the wide expanse above would help her clear her mind off things. Or maybe stare down at the little ones playing by the tree sheds. But then, the status implored on her required her to act as someone else. Someone "perfect". Someone who people would look up to. Her life to others was sweet but then what was sweetness without its own taste of bitterness?
It was at this hour that the door pulled open, revealing the sound of footsteps into the room...those which echoed along with her heart...those which dared to follow its every beat...
- - - - - - - -
Luxury and wealth, that's what she had. At least, that's what everyone thought she had. It would probably be a lie if she denied such claims. But then those were partly true and mostly false.
As she arranged her things and prepared to go home, a picture slid off her notes. That one picture where life to her had been so "good" and sweet. That picture which caught her memory of what was real. A father, a mother and a daughter. What could one ask for more than that? But all she had was this, a father and a daughter - not one trace of a mother. If luxury and wealth meant material things or worldly in its own accords, then truly, she was blessed with such. For it was only a matter of a word that she utter that everything would be given to her as she pleased. But if it meant otherwise, those that were more important in life...then she sorely lived in poverty. For she longed for a mother she never saw and a father whose face she'd nearly forgotten. And such a longing kept this structure called a school her sanctuary - where these things were shaded, kept in the full close of her heart.
Oftentimes to dull the loneliness in her heart, she would volunteer her assistance to her teachers - in checking of papers and the like. Sometimes, being in an organization helped her. And this particular day was just one of those days where she extended her cordial service. These people think she helped them, but it would only be proper to say they helped her more instead.
THe room was then emptied as chairs were neatly arranged. Earlier, no gaps could be seen there. Now, such emptiness crawled in and reached her. She wanted never to be alone but she can never really escape the feeling.
She was somehow hoping that this day would be different than the others. As she descended the stairs from the 3rd floor where their rooms were situated, she had numerous things in mind – those that she intended to do in the weekend. It was a Friday, the last day of their classes for the week…and how she hated this day. For it only meant one thing: she'd have to stay in the confines of her house…within the walls that so much suffocate her.
Reaching the ground floor, she then moved on. One, two, three. Each step she took somehow wanted to leave a mark – a trace that would last on the smooth surface. She never really wanted to leave this place…this had become a home to her, much more than anyone else could have imagined.
"This is me. Take me home now."
Lowering the phone she held on, she sighed inwardly as she returned it on her pocket. She figured it would take a few more minutes before the car would be sent to her. It was her fault anyway, calling this late when she could have called in earlier.
It was then when she decided to walk on and indulge her senses with the school environment. Though the weekend literally was made up of two whole days, those two days felt too long for her waiting being. She never really loved the school much, nor the scenario it always offers to its inhabitants. It's just that it was and it would always be in this place that she always felt safe.
A wind blew the moment she entered her favorite spot – that place people so fondly called a small park within the vicinity of their humble orchard.
It was also in this place that she saw him. He who wore glasses so round that made him look ridiculous…cute, somewhat. She couldn't fight the urge to put off a soft giggle upon seeing the unusual sight of a boy her age reading a book in such an unfamiliar place.
The said boy, taking notice of her presence immediately sat up from his sitting position, his bag left on the ground and his face wore a surprise. As he stared at this newly-entered visitor, she could see that he had actually beautiful eyes – purple – and most of all, sincere.
But this only made the latter blush, so madly that the tint of pink graced both his cheeks. He immediately looked away, his gaze shifted to the sturdy tree on a corner. There was a bench but he never sat on it, and she actually wondered why.
No longer could she endure the silence, she figured that since she already disturbed the supposed to be solitude of this boy, she then proceeded with her usual gleeful chatting.
"How's the ground?" she inquired as she walked further through the park.
Her companion simply bowed down and tried to face her, though the moment their eyes met once more, he suddenly looked elsewhere again.
At a closer distance, she then looked at his features. He's not that tall, slightly above her height, she estimated. He had a lean built, not much muscles in his arms and overall looked physically weak. But he possessed such an aura that somehow made a tingling sensation on her…could it be that she was feeling an attraction towards this stranger?
She then looked downwards as she caught sight of the book he was previously reading prior to her arrival.
"What's that?"
She then asked, with a tone as sweet as she usually had and a finger pointing at the one he's holding.
"Ow, this?" Finally he gave her a word…as he lifted his hand and took a look at the one she's referring to.
"Nothing, just…a hobby." Timidly he answered back, he tried in as much as he could to avoid the gaze she had on him.
"Is that so…that's quite an interesting hobby. What other books do you read?"
"Science and technology, computer graphics, those things." He then replied as he finally gained enough confidence to look at the one he's talking to. His eyes painted something short of a glow…more likely that of admiration, as if he'd never seen anyone like her before. His gaze had the same effect as she had on him earlier…for as soon as his eyes looked at her, she suddenly felt conscious of herself, as if she wasn't prepared to be eyed on the way he was doing.
Finding hard to speak the right words, she all of a sudden lost her poise as her voice failed her. 'Not in front of him. Why do I stutter in front of this guy?' she pleaded with herself as she little by little lost her gained composure.
He probably had noticed the uneasiness on her part for he shifted his eyes elsewhere – anywhere just not on her. She thanked whoever or whatever caused him to do that for it really saved her from who knows what could have happened if that went on.
She then looked at him, taking into detail the side of his face. His brown messy hair found its way to complement his slightly-tanned complexion. His nose, not too sharp but just at the right proportion. And his lips, somehow felt smooth to her eyes as if she already had a chance to touch them.
There was something in her that wanted to make a conversation with him…to simply start a small chat than the one they already had been doing. He had a unique charm in him that he wasn't aware of. And with that, she found herself gazing at him all the while. It was only at that moment when he looked back at her. And as instantly, she moved her head to the other side, pretending she had been in that way since then.
Silence.
Both stood still, neither one of them wanted to speak. No – they wanted to speak but words seemed fiddle in their grasps. Finally, she decided to start one with him…she wanted to know something more from this person – curiosity playing on her mind.
"So…what sec-,"
As if fate was not on either one's side, her phone rang. So loud that it disturbed the haven of that place.
Excusing herself for a few minutes, she then turned around and answered the call.
"What? So soon…okay…I understand. I'll be there."
Hanging up, once again she faced him. His face didn't show any sign of anticipation and his expression as blank as it could get. But his eyes, they never could lie. She saw something in them, rather, felt something while looking at them.
"I…I have to go now." She finally said as she bowed her head and gave him a smile. He simply nodded and returned the gesture.
She then, slowly, proceeded towards the school grounds, but then before fully leaving the place, looked back at him. He was also doing the same. No matter how thick the frames he wore, she knew he was looking at her.
"See you around I guess." And with a wave, she set off.
She was really hoping he would at least say something before she left or perhaps follow her to say a proper goodbye. But no, he did not utter anything. He just stood there and smiled back at her. Why? Did he not feel the same "attraction" she felt the moment their eyes met?
These thoughts lingered on her mind as she walked towards the familiar car. And when inside, the memory of that boy still remained. Contemplating what recently just took place in that orchard, she held a small hope – that she may meet that same boy again…perhaps another chance would come, and for that, she'd be willing to wait no matter how long.
- - - - - - - -
With the identity of the boy still concealed, she spent her weekends quite the usual way. She would often stay on her room and anticipate for whatever exciting that may come. She also thought of calling out her friends and possibly hanging out with them somewhere but every time she did call them, their phone lines always seemed to be busy, if not cut off.
And so what choice that she have but simply wait and hope that Monday would come soon enough. That her sanctuary would arrive after she woke up.
- - - - - - -
"Why the long face early in the morning?" the Clyne family's chambermaid, asked.
It was a fine morning indeed, one that would be great to start a good week. And as the one before her drank her milk and ate her breakfast, she only looked at her and smiled her usual.
"Nothing."
A lie.
This lady knew her too well. So much that she could sense whether she was being deceived or not by her "false" smiles and cheerfulness.
"Miss Clyne, anything the matter? Please do not lie."
Confronted by the one who was there since her childhood, the pink-haired girl simply nodded.
The fat lady then eyed her and shook her head, as if telling her she shouldn't feel that way…not at that fine morning….not at the start of her classes.
"I know. But,"
"Master Clyne is simply busy at the moment. But I'm sure he'll get to you as soon as he can."
"Father didn't even leave a message for me. Nor did he come home yesterday.How could he get to me when he couldn't even 'be' here for me?" and in no less than a whimper, she stood up and walked towards the entrance where her bag lay on the corner table.
"Miss Clyne,"
"Don't worry about me. I'm fine." And with a smile, she then went outside.
And with another lie, the chambermaid again sighed.
The house was big, but the home was nowhere in sight.
- - - - - - - - - - -
The wind blew further, entering the four corners of the classroom. She wasn't exactly paying attention at the lectures presented in front but rather, wandering off somewhere else. And she sighted the rustling of the leaves on the trees below, she then remembered that boy…he who caused such a big effect on her with his eyes.
And it was at this moment that the door opened.
Everyone stared at the person who entered the room. Everyone pursued soft giggles and repressed laughter, everyone except her who as if blanked out the moment she saw him…again.
And as he was introduced in front by their teacher, she then looked at him all the more. The same messy hair, the same eyes, the same glasses, the same everything. She recalled vividly those that she keenly observed. And as he was examining the faces of those in the room, his eyes somehow laid upon her.
As their gazes again met, it brought with it the same effect as before. He wore the same pink and she, the same heartbeat.
Neither of them heard their surroundings. Neither desired to hear anything in the room.
"Your name…"
He simply looked at her features and a smile unconsciously graced his lips.
"Ahem, your name mister?"
She did the same but not exactly evident…for her routined behavior took the best of her.
"Excuse me, your name please." Not a question nor a plead but rather a command from the teacher whose voice was momentarily ignored.
The class roared in laughter as they could no longer suppress the urge to do so. As if suddenly struck by lightning, their gazes shifted elsewhere as he scratched the back of his head while giving an introduction in a much audible and obviously nervous pitch.
"I'm Kira Yamato, nice to meet you all."
end- chap 1
Okay, this is the continuation, rather the prelude of "still the victor" as the title gave off that impression. The two stories actually stand on their own but can be interrelated. Hmm, this would probably take about 2 or 3 chapters, who knows exactly. Again, like before, this is my (pre?) Valentine offering, though it's a li'l crappy and grammar-wise, technicality-wise uhh, badly done? Anyway, hope you still enjoyed reading it somehow and that I didn't waste your precious time. Thanks!