"Hirose-kun! Ricchan! Natsuki-chan! O-ohayo!" she panted, running over. Tripping on a rock, she stumbled right into his arms. "Ah-did Hirose-kun see that?" Her face flushed a bright red when she realized where she was. "G-g-gomen!" She stumbled backwards.
"Ohayo, Hiyorin," Yuushin laughed, taking her hand.
"Then," Ritsuka and Natsuki smiled, "We'll be leaving!" They ran off before she could protest."
"Ah, matte..." Hiyori was a bit too late, she was left along with Yuushin. "Ohayo Yuu-yuush...Ohayo Hirose-kun!" She sighed; she still couldn't say his first name without getting embarrassed.
"You already said that," he chuckled, picking a cherry blossom from the tree above them and tucking it behind her ear. "Oh," he looked closely. A shimmering jewel hung from her neck. "That's the necklace I gave you this summer," he smiled, "I'm glad you liked it."
"I love it! I wear it everyday!" She exclaimed, finally looking him in the eye. Then she paused again. "I uh," Hiyori looked down, "I..." She held out a boxed lunch, ducking her head in between her outstretched arms, "I made you a bento! So you don't have to eat the bread from the cafeteria again. You said that, um, you said that your mom was too busy to make you one this week right?"
"Arigato Hiyorin! I want to eat it already!" For once, Yuushin blushed.
She skipped happily along the path, keeping up with Yuushin's long strides.
It's a new semester again. Hiyori thought as they approached the school. I hope I can get along with everyone.
But the first thing she heard when she walked in the gates was, "Look! It's the famous tall-short couple!" from a couple of the first years. "Yuushin, you really got a girlfriend? So the rumors were true?" a couple of girls exclaimed. "Who is she?!"
They're from my middle school," Yuushin explained to Hiyori, "Probably some of the only people who don't know yet." He ruffled her hair.
Ah!" They looked down, "I didn't even see her there! She really is short..." they continued.
Sensing that she was a bit uncomfortable, he held her a little closer. "Go on, introduce yourself!" he whispered.
"Um, I'm Nishiyama Hiyori! Hajimemashite!" They gave her a few glares and she backed away slightly. Kou smirked a few feet away and Ritsuka slapped him.
"Be nice!" she hissed, then went to greet some others.
He's so open with everyone. Hiyori thought, her eyes sparkling. Wait, these girls like him, so they might hate me...Yuushin lay his arm protectively over Hiyori's shoulder as they talked to everyone. She relaxed, knowing he wouldn't leave her alone like that.
"Boo," Reina blew into Hiyori's ear. She jumped back.
"Ohayo, Reina-chan!"
"So, Hiyorin. Any development this summer? Did you two go anywhere? Did you make sure to text him and call him everyday? Did you get to spend anytime alone? How many dates did you go on? Did you hold hands like you are now? And.." she bent down and leaned closer to her ear, "How many times did you kiss?"
"Reina-chan! That's um.." Hiyori jumped back and Yuushin scratched his head, looking away.
"Oh, a cherry blossom? Behind your ear too. Aw, did Yuushin get that for you?" Reina giggled, staring at Hiyori's ear.
By the entrance, Natsuki was being teased by Junpei and Misa after cutting her hair yet again. Tanaka-kun was discussing universities with a teacher already. Mitani-sensei and Mori-sensei were joking about how energetic everyone was already.
And Hiyori could only laugh, it was going to be another wonderful year.