Hanazakari no Kimitachi e

The Aftermath

Ashiya Mizuki dropped her bags and sighed. She had just arrived in America after a flight from Japan. After spending two years attending an all boy's school in Japan, she had returned to America.

"Mickey!" She heard someone call

"Julia!" she replied, hugging her tightly. She hadn't seen her American best friend in months, and was really happy to see her. "Oh, I missed you so much!"

Julia laughed, and then changed to a more serious tone.

"I heard the whole school found out. What did they say to you?"

"Yeah they kinda did." Mizuki said, looking at the ground. "But I did get to tell Sano before he heard the rumours. But it turns out he knew all along!"

Julia threw back her head and laughed. "Of course he did! That's why he was always so protective towards you! Did anything else happen between you two?"

"Well… We're kinda going out at the moment."

Julia squealed, grabbed Mizuki's hands and spun her around in a circle.

"Ahahaha! I knew it, I knew it! I told you your obsession had turned to love!"

Mizuki smiled and laughed as well. She couldn't help it. She was so happy that she and Sano were together, and that he finally knew her secret, well, she finally knew that he knew her secret. She couldn't wait to see him again. Though she didn't know when that would be. Julia helped her to carry her things out to her parents' car, where she saw her parents for the second time in two years.

They drove along the highway in an uneasy silence. Her mother cleared her throat.

"Mizuki, a few days ago your school called. They told us that your school was…an all boy's school. We didn't think it was possible, until your step-brother told us the truth. Now, we aren't angry specifically… it's just that, we would have preferred you go to a girls school. Dressing as a boy for two years is highly inappropriate. If anyone took advantage of you, then…"

"MUM!" Mizuki interrupted her mother. "It was my decision; no one took… advantage of me, really!"

Her Mother nodded, and turned to face the road again, after glancing at her husband. Mizuki tried to think of happier times… that lesson when, as Nakatsu had been sleeping behind his books, Noe drew on his face with a permanent marker. She couldn't help but smile.

Their car pulled up to Julia's house. She hugged Mizuki once again and they drove off, leaving her to walk back to her front door alone.

"Don't be sad Mizuki." Julia had whispered to her. "You will see them again, I promise!"

Mizuki sat back in her chair, watching the scenery go by. Faces flashed through her memory…

Nanba Sempai, Tennouji, Rio, Umeda Sensei, Himejima, Io, Yuujirou, Kanna, Hibari, Sekime, Noe, Nakao, Tears began to well up in her eyes. Nakatsu…Sano. Mizuki smiled a watery smile. I wonder what everyone is doing this summer. Mizuki's mind wandered back to her summer spent with Nakatsu and Sano, Helping Io look after her Bed and Breakfast. Though there was that accident with Makita… Mizuki shook her head to get rid of that particular memory.

Really Mizuki, she thought to herself, would Sano and the boys want to see you crying over them? No! So don't!

Mizuki looked out the window again and realized they were driving down her street. She rolled down the window so she could have a better look. Her brother, Lisa (one of the women who worked with her dad) and Gil were standing outside waiting for her. As the car came to a halt, she jumped out and ran to hug her brother, Lisa and Gil.

"Welcome home Mizuki!" cried her brother, sweeping her up into the air, then pulling her down to kiss her on the cheek.

"Shizuki don't! I'm 17 years old! Much too old to be picked up by my older brother!" Mizuki said, laughing.

"But in my eyes, you're still my favourite little sister." Shizuki said, putting her down. Lisa came forward and put her arms around her.

"It's great to see you again! I can't believe we only saw you once in two years!"

"Well, I believe this time she's back for good, right Mizuki?" Gil said, ruffling her hair, before picking up one of her bags and taking it inside. Mizuki grabbed one bag, her dad and brother each took another, marching up to her room.

Mizuki flopped back onto her bed and checked her watch. It was almost half past six.

"Hey Mum!" she called. "Is it almost time for dinner?"

"Dinner? It will be ready in fifteen minutes." Her mother's cry came up the stairs. Mizuki groaned and her head fell back onto her pillow. Mizuki looked at her watch and calculated the time in Japan. Six-thirty in California…eleven thirty in Japan.

I wonder what everyone's doing at the moment… It's the holidays…Probably sleeping. Nakatsu and Sano might be training… I wonder if Sano is getting along with his father and brother…

Her thoughts continued in this way, imagining what her friends would be doing at the moment, until Gil came through the doorway.

"Yo Mizuki." He said. Her head shot up, she had finally come out of her day dream. "We've been calling for ages. Dinner's ready." Mizuki nodded and walked towards the door. Gil pulled her into a tight hug. "I'm really glad you're back, I missed you." He whispered. Mizuki hugged him back fiercely. She didn't feel for him the way she felt for Sano, but he was one of her greatest friends. They walked down to dinner together. Mizuki's mother had made a lot of food. After dinner, Mizuki began to tell her family about life at Osaka Gakuen.

They laughed lat into the night. Her parents were a little uneasy to begin with (who would be happy that their daughter was attending an all boys boarding school without their knowledge?), but after Mizuki reassured them (repeatedly) that nothing bad had happened, they began to laugh at the crazy antics of her friends.

By the time Gil left to go home, Mizuki couldn't keep her eyes open. The jet-lag had caught up with her. Her Mother bundled her off to bed, and she slept for hours.

Mizuki woke the next day after midday. Still yawning, she stumbled down the stairs in search of breakfast. After getting nourishment, she trudged back upstairs and began to unpack. Her mind began to fill with memories.

I bought this shirt shopping with the guys before our school trip… These gym pants were the ones I wore when I fell and scraped my knee…This is the scarf I leant to Sano when his father was in the hospital…The dresses I wore as Alice at the School Festival, and to the dance…My uniform…

By the time she had put everything away or in the wash, Mizuki was in tears. She sat on the floor, her knees drawn up to her chin, surrounded by suitcases.

Mizuki! You have to be strong! Don't spend your time moping over the boys. Mizuki wiped her eyes, stood up and walked over to the phone.

She dialled Julia's number.

"Hey J! Do you want to get some of the girls together and go to the pool tomorrow or something?"

Julia could hear that Mizuki had been crying, but didn't say anything. "Sure Mickey. How about we meet at about…ten?"

"Sure, we can meet up at my house. I'll see you then!" Mizuki hung up. She rummaged in her wardrobe, until she found every pair of swimming togs she owned. Three. A navy one-piece for school. Hardly flattering. She tried it on, but it didn't fit any more. The next was a pink one-piece that was a lot more appealing than the first pair. Alas, they did not fit either. It was all up to the last pair. An orange bikini, with a matching wrap.

"Ok Mizuki, fingers crossed."

She pulled it on. It fit.

"Thank the lord." She said. She admired herself in the mirror. It tied at the front, and matched her skin tone very well.

"All of those marathon runs in winter and walking Yuujirou everyday really paid off, I look really good. If I may say so myself." She giggled. "I'm turning into a girl again."

Mizuki changed into her robe, picked up a change of clothes, and went to have a shower. She washed the sweat and dirt from flying off, she hadn't exactly had a shower since she got home. Drying her hair, she could smell the unfamiliar soap of America, completely different to the brand she had used in Japan. NO! Mizuki brushed out her hair, but then roughed it up again. Then brushed it out once more, and smoothed her clothes. Mizuki was wearing pink. And a mini skirt. I haven't worn one of these since the dance with St Blossom's. Mizuki smiled at the memory, but didn't dwell on it.

Picking up the pile of dirty clothes in her room, Mizuki walked into the laundry and began to do her washing. When the Washing Machine was humming away, She plopped herself onto the couch and turned on the TV. Flicking through the channels, there wasn't much interesting on, so she settled on the Simpson's and went in search of some snacks. When her toast was ready, so was the washing. She went to hang it out on the line and put another load on. Mizuki spent the afternoon going between the TV and the laundry, until she had washed every item of clothing she had taken to and bought in Japan. She had almost cried a couple of times, but she made herself be strong, and held the tears at bay. To keep her mind away from it, she thought about the upcoming visit to the pool with her friends.

When her Mother got home from her dance classes, Mizuki was asleep again. She found a note written on the fridge…

'Mom. Some of the girls are coming over tomorrow morning, and then we are going to the pool. I have done all of my washing, so don't worry about that. 'Night. Mizuki'

Her Mother smiled. She's getting on with it, and not moping over the past. I'm so proud of her. I hope she will be alright.