Upon the Falling Stars- The Beginning and Ending
At Tokyo University, there is a girl in sports attire practising basketball all alone, until someone with a book came into the sports hall. The girl continued shooting without acknowledging the intruder. However, once the intruder starts opening the book to read, she threw the ball in her hands towards the other person in the hall. The ball had however been avoided.
"Mai, how many times does this make?" the intruder with black hair, grey eyes and handsome expressionless guy said.
Mai, the brown short haired girl sticks her tongue out at the guy, "it was only the tenth time this month, Naru."
Naru sighs before closing his book and walks towards Mai.
"It's only morning and you are going to reek of sweat."
"I'll just go and have a quick shower before class begins!" Mai says cheerfully.
Ignoring the girl, Naru turns and starts walking away and Mai follows.
Oliver Davis, the smartest yet sharp tongued and emotionless student of T.U, is Taniyama Mai's, the all-rounder cute girl that is liked by many, best friend. The two had met each other a month before the start of University and despite their petty and childish arguments, they got along well. They are both famous for their own strengths in the whole campus. No one does not know who Mai and Naru are. The reason why Oliver is called Naru was because…
"Ori..oriver..Davis?" Mai says quizzically.
Sighing, Naru tell her that 'Noll' would be fine. She tried saying it out and somehow it just doesn't sound the same as how he had said it.
"Mou! I'll just call you Naru! It's close enough and you are a narcissist," Mai said proudly.
That was how Naru's nickname came about and everyone just started calling him as such because of Mai's influence.
Mai, one of the popular girls in school despite being boyish, keeps getting confession day after day and again. As usual, Mai rejects them all.
"You should just go out with one of them to get the rest off your back," Naru advised.
Mai stops walking and turns to look at Naru.
"Why should I when they are not the ones I am looking for?" Mai starts walking backwards.
"Then what kind are you looking for? There should be plenty of different types on campus. Not that all of them can cope with your personality," Naru asks Mai as he keeps walking.
"Mou, Naru, I do not have a bad personality. Anyways, the type of guy I want has to firstly be good looking. Then he has to be a gentleman. Lastly, a really nice smile to boot!—"
Mai ends up bumping into something or someone.
"Sorry about that, I was just—"
…an angelic Naru?
"Gene, when did you arrive?" Naru's voice can be heard.
The person Mai had bumped into was Naru's twin, Eugene. Eugene smiles at Mai even though she was the one that bumped into him and apologized.
"Sorry about that Miss…"
"Mai. Taniyama Mai," Mai answers.
His smile is so beautiful! So nice to look at! His voice is really nice to listen too~ (Don't Naru have the same voice?!)
While Mai was mesmerised by Eugene, Naru had already walked past her to get to his brother and they shared some sort of telepathic message by looking at each other. Then Mai decides to formally introduce herself but was stopped due to the school bell ringing.
Mai curses under her breath, "We'll be late, Naru! See you late, Eugene!"
Mai grabs hold of Naru's arm and waved goodbye to Eugene who smiles back. His smile made Mai go into dreamland throughout her class. No one noticed it besides Naru who was sitting behind her.
Once class was over, Mai turns around and began asking Naru questions about Eugene but Naru coolly ignores her while continuing to read his book.
"Naru! How can you just ignore me, you jerk! I really wonder how you are actually related to the angelic Eugene," Mai grumbled.
Her statement made Naru tilt his head up to retort when he was beaten to it.
"Noll is actually really nice, Taniyama-san," a voice so similar to Naru yet gentle said.
Mai nearly jumped in surprised and she turned beet red when she realised how close his face was to hers when she turned. Eugene smiles innocently and took the seat beside Mai. Since it was already the end of school, only three of them were left in the classroom. None of them spoke until Naru closes his book with a thud which surprised Mai a little.
Naru puts his book in his back and looks at his twin, "so, did Father tell you get to me?"
"Not really. He said that you seemed to be having fun so I should try joining you," Eugene replies.
The Davis' began having their own conversation, forgetting that Mai was there as well. Meanwhile, Mai wondered about their family background since Naru never talks about his family. He didn't even mention anything remotely about having a brother, yet a twin at that! Suddenly, what caught Mai's attention was Eugene's question to Naru.
"So, Noll, why are you going through university in Japan when you've already completed yours in England?"
Naru kept a neutral face on while Mai screamed her head off, "Naru is that SMART!?"
"Are you doubting my intelligence, Mai?" Naru scowled.
Mai instantly shakes her head, "it's just that…as Eugene said, why? I mean… there is no need for a second time, right?"
"I have my reasons, idiot," Naru jokingly hits Mai's head with his phone before standing up.
Eugene smiling fondly as he oversees his brother's friendship with Mai. Just as Naru and Mai were leaving the classroom, Naru turns to him.
"What are you doing, Gene. Aren't you coming?" Naru asks as though it was given that Eugene would be joining them.
Eugene simply stood up and caught up with them, while they argued what they should eat.
The next day, it is found that Eugene will be attending the university under the same classes as Naru which meant that the three of them would be spending more time with each other. Over the next few weeks, the relationship between the three were those of best friends forever. Mai starts to show more interest in her studies by having study sessions with both Eugene and Naru. Eugene, of course, became popular the moment he started attending classes and his popularity grew even more with the fact that he is as handsome and smart as Naru but it is his kindness and gentleness that made him far more popular than his twin. As for Naru, he maintained his cold and aloof personality but anyone could see that he is just another normal being when he hangs out with his brother and Mai, not that anyone would point it out.
As usual, Mai was excited for class, especially Literature because she gets to sit right behind Eugene. Originally, Eugene's seat was her while hers was Naru's but it just sort of happened and Naru still gets peeved whenever it is Literature class. Once she entered the classroom, she found the Davis twin already at their seats. Naru surprisingly sat at the seat beside his former seat quickly, while reading a science book. Mai sat down just as the frivolous teacher steps in with her strong perfume filling up the room. It always made both Mai and Naru want to puke.
Without even saying anything, the frivolous teacher named Fiona Lounge who prefers to be called Ms Fiona, began spouting Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet passage. Then she stopped and asked out loud, "Love. What is love?"
Everyone, besides Eugene who was trying to think of an answer, was minding their own business and totally ignored Ms Fiona's words and question. So she randomly picked out a student to answer her question and it just so happened to be Naru. Naru looks up from his book before giving a raised eyebrow and Ms Fiona repeated her question.
Without any hesitation, Naru replied nonchalantly, "The feeling called 'Love' is actually just hormones acting—"
Cutting Naru off instantly, Ms Fiona picked out Mai. With a light blush on her face, Mai says, "well… I think that Love is friendship. Without friendship, there can be no love."
The students in the room fell silent and Ms Fiona looked utterly impressed at Mai's answer. Mai could feel her face heating up, wondering what Eugene's reaction was. Feeling embarrassed, Mai asked to be excused and runs out of the room. Meanwhile, her words kept replaying in Naru's mind.
'Love is friendship. Without friendship, there can be no love.'
During lunch, Mai had returned to normal and as usual, the three were spending lunch together. They were seated at the corner table where it was quite isolated from the rest, which is actually the place where others get to feast their eyes on them every single time during lunch. Eugene had gone to get them drinks when Mai suddenly took hold of Naru's hand, causing to blush momentarily.
"Nee, don't you think I sounded super weird during Lit class? I mean, what the hell was I saying!?"
Naru tried to pry his hands away from Mai's but her grip got strong each time he resist. Giving up on that, he looks at Mai in the eye which is a rare occurrence for the past few weeks because she always seemed to be looking at Eugene and not him. It made his heart skipped a beat. He knew how beautiful her eyes were ever since they met and would always steal glances to see her eyes shimmer whenever she is in a good mood. Now they those same pair of eyes were looking right at him upfront, made him a little uncomfortable and warm. Just before he could utter a word, Eugene had returned with the drinks and Mai instantly dropped his hands. For a moment, Naru's heart sank.
With his usual smile, Eugene asks what they were talking about which Mai replies nothing in response. As they ate, Mai talked about her intense practise for the next sports meet. Since Mai was on Scholarship for sports, she had no choice but to do well. Naru would always be waiting for her at the audience seats while she practice. This time, she invites Eugene to see her practice too.
"So how about it, Eugene?" Mai asks hopefully.
"Sure. I would love to, Mai."
Not having anything to say in the conversation, Naru went to return his tray first. Once he was gone, Eugene asks Mai a question.
"Mai, why won't you call me Gene like Noll? I feel as though there is a wall since you keep calling me Eugene."
Mai was surprised. She didn't expected that Eugene would be concerned about it and she didn't call her Gene because she felt that it was too intimate.
"You don't mind?" Mai asks cautiously.
"I want you to, Mai," Gene says with a smile.
Mai blushes and kept repeating his name under her breath, "Gene. … Gene… hehe"
Then the both of them burst out laughing and Naru had just returned, wondering what was happening. From then on, Mai and Gene would sometimes have a conversation where Naru couldn't join, making him feel out of place. However, Naru takes it as them getting closer as friends just like how he was with Mai before.
Yet… why does it hurt when I see her smiling with him?
The sports meeting was nearing and just like any other time, Naru was seating somewhere, waiting for Mai's practice to end while reading a book. Ten minutes before it ended, Gene finally arrived. Just as Mai had suggested, Gene had been watching her practice along with Naru ever since.
"So what made you late today?" Naru asks Gene without looking away from his book.
Gene took a seat beside his look-a-like and replied, "I was talking with Mother. She had me retold her everything I wrote to Father."
"Guess she hasn't changed."
"Hm."
There was silence blanketing the atmosphere until Gene said something which made Naru nearly choke on his drink.
"What?" Naru asks incredulously.
"I asked, you love Mai don't you."
It was exactly a question, it was statement and Naru knew. Naru puts down his drink, looks at Mai who was vigorously into her practice before sighing.
Turning to face his older brother, Naru says, "What sort of ridiculous thing are you saying? Why in the world would I be in love with THAT thing?"
Despite his insulting choice of words, Gene could sense the fondness in his tone. Without probing Naru about the topic any further, he simply said, "it's ended."
Naru turns around and saw that Mai was running up towards them, so he took Mai's bottle and threw it in her direction which she caught effortlessly and thanked him silently. Once she stood in front of them and took a sip of her drink, she said hi to Gene first before greeting Naru as an afterthought. Naru was visibly upset but none of them noticed.
"By the way, Naru. I'm going to head for lunch with Gene. I'll text you at night for the next meet up," Mai says as she packs her things.
"What? You should have informed me earlier."
Mai picks up her bag, "It isn't like we have to get lunch together all the time, Naru."
"But you have lunch with Gene every day," Naru retorts.
"It's not every day," Gene tried to prevent the argument.
Mai simple turns away, grab Gene's arm and said, "Well, I've been having lunch with you every day for almost a year now. It's no big deal not to have lunch together for once."
With nothing to say back, Naru just stood there dumbly.
It is. It had always been our special time together.
After Mai had lunch with Gene, they head to Gene's apartment. Due to his sudden transfer, there wasn't any more rooms available at the male dorms and Naru was not willing to share his room, even with his own biological brother, so he had to get an apartment. The apartment was simple, it had a small living room and dining area, a bathroom, a balcony for doing laundry and a bedroom. The two talked about various things and played games till dark.
The moment Mai stepped out of the apartment and saw that the sky was pitch dark, her eyes sparkled and she turns to Gene and excitedly said, "I think there will be shooting stars tonight! Be sure to look out for them."
Without giving Gene time to reply, she dashes off while fishing her phone out of her bag. She dialled someone's number and waited anxiously for the receiver to pick up. However, at the same moment when the call was answered, she had stepped into the elevator and the call was cut. Not realising that the call was cut, Mai talked to her phone enthusiastically about meeting up and shooting stars.
"What in the world was that? She called me and then hangs up on me."
The person Mai called was Naru. He had just finished his dinner when he frantically picked up the call but was instantly hung up right after. Wondering why Mai had called him, he walked to his balcony and looked up at the sky.
Its pitch black. … Mai would definitely think that shooting stars will appear.
After staring for a minute longer, Naru took his coat and walked out of his room and the boarding house subsequently. He kept walking until a plain field came into field and he took a seat, staring up at the sky. While he was in a daze, someone suddenly hugged him from behind, nearly choking him.
"Are you trying to kill me, Mai?" Naru asks while trying to pull away and succeed after a few tugs.
Mai gave a sheepish grin before settling beside him. With a smile plastered on her face, Mai says, "I thought I said we'd look at it from your balcony."
"Since when?"
"Since ten minutes ago."
…
Naru took out his phone and show her his call log, "You hung up on me the moment I answered."
"No way! … oh, must be because I was in the elevator. Hahaha."
Naru could only sigh before the both of them went back to stare at the sky. A moment of comfortable silence surround them before the sky suddenly lit up, full of shooting stars. (Don't ask me how.)
Bright pointed lights were moving rapidly across the sky that begins suddenly and then fades out a little less suddenly. Some lasted longer than the others while some could only be seen for a split second. The glowing trail of smoke left created a beautiful image in the sky.
Mai quickly covered Naru's eyes and closed hers while whispering, "Hurry and wish for something. No matter what, I'm sure it'll come true. No matter how long it takes."
At that same moment, Gene who was standing at his balcony was also making a wish upon the shooting stars.
I wish my love would be returned.
The following day, something unexpected happened.
Mai was busy catching up on her project meetings which she had missed over the week and Gene had been in the library all the day. Meanwhile, Naru became the number one topic of the day.
"Feast your eyes on a new Oliver today!" the annoying emcee for the school broadcast, Yasuhara announced.
Hearing the words 'new' and 'Oliver', made both Mai and Gene stop whatever they were doing and went looking for Naru. Each person Mai passes by as she runs around campus were snickering and could barely even say where they had seen Naru last. When Mai finally found Naru, he had his back facing her so she had to tap him on the shoulder. The moment he turned, Mai burst out laughing causing her spit to fall on Naru by accident. However, unlike the usual, Naru simply wiped the spit with a tissue and continued with whatever he was doing which had been making everyone crack up and he became a laughingstock. Naru was going to ask what was up until Gene arrived and had to close his mouth to stop himself from laughing.
"What..what is up with that! HAHAHAHAHA" Mai finally utter something but still ended up laughing.
Naru continued smiling. Smiling with his face scowled and the corners of his mouth twitching. Gene took another look at Naru and couldn't hold himself back despite telling Mai that she shouldn't be laughing, leading him to a fit of laughter.
Naru had been trying to be nice to everyone. He greeted each and every one with his 'smile'. He thought that his smile was quite natural despite the twitching.
Mai held back half of her laughter and said to Naru, "Naru, your smile's so creepy that it is hilarious! Don't ever..hahahhahhaha"
The moment Mai went back to laughing at him, Naru's poker face came back and the atmosphere around him felt tense, causing everyone around him to stop laughing except Mai. Turning on his heels, he walked away without a word.
Naru found a bench and took a seat. He leaned his head back and shut his eyes. He regretted doing something like that.
Why did I even try doing something Gene-like…
Gene came running and apologised. Without opening his eyes, Naru said, "It was my own fault for trying to be you."
At that moment, something –or someone, hit his forehead hard. It was Mai, she had knocked both their foreheads together, causing Naru to snap his eyes open and glare at her close range.
"Idiot. There is no need for you to act like Gene to show you are nice. You are nice in your own way. Aren't we best friends?"
Naru smiles softly, "Yea, we are."
Mai points at Naru, "that! Practise that smile."
"Mai, it's rude to point fingers at others."
Then they began their usual routine of bickering. Gene, who was silent the whole time tried to walk away, not wanting to disturb them but Mai held on to his sleeve. Naru didn't see it because the bench was acting as a cover and he was too busy bickering with Mai to notice. Without saying a word, Gene smiles sadly as he looks at the two important people in his life.
Will it last?
Weeks had past ever since and the three of them were as close as ever, maybe closer than before for a certain pair.
It was Friday and Naru was nearing the end of the romance novel which he had borrowed on a whim due to Mai teasing him about not understanding romance at all, since he almost failed his Literature test regarding Romeo and Juliet. Just as he was reading the last page –or more specifically the last paragraph of the novel, Naru's mind wandered.
'To obtain happiness, you have to take the first step.'
Upon seeing that sentence, Naru made up his mind and gathered his resolve. He stood up and reached for his phone. He was about to call Mai when the caller ID appeared and it was Mai. Without a second to waste, Naru answered the call. As though by telepathy, Mai asked if they could meet right away, the exact same thing as what Naru was going to ask. He agreed and grabbed his room keys before dashing out. For the first time in a long while, Naru ran. He ran with all his might. His heart racing from both excitement and due to the fact that he was running. Many things came to his mind as he pondered how he should say it to Mai but in the end he could only come up with those three words. Once the clear field where they watched the shooting stars came into view, he could see a silhouette running towards him. He picked up his speed, getting impatient and wanting to see Mai as quickly as possible. As they were nearing each other, they slowed down and both were panting. It seems that Mai was also running at full speed non-stop. This warmed Naru's heart.
Naru closed his eyes and took a deep breath before saying, "Mai, I—"
"I love you."
Naru's eyes snapped wide open.
"I love you. I love you!"
Mai had such a bright smile on her face as she said it and Naru was going to say he loves her too.
"me too, I—"
"I love you, Gene!"
As though God was playing a trick on him, clouds gathered and it began raining heavily. The sound of the rain falling heavily covered the sound of his heart shattering.
"Nee, I'm going to confess to Gene later. So how was it? Practise with me! I don't want to fail and look like an idiot. Of course I'll be me and you'll be Gene, okay?" Mai spoke quickly while blushing profusely.
Without waiting for Naru's reply, Mai began her simulation.
"I love you. I really love you, Gene."
She said it with full of enthusiasm and love, as though Gene was standing right in front of her when in actual fact, it was Naru.
This is the first and last time.
"I love you too, Mai," Naru spoke with such a serene voice and gentle smile that no one would have guess that he was in actual fact, crying under the disguise that it was just rain rolling down his cheek.
Mai's face lit up, "That's how he's going to answer, right?"
It took all of his willpower to nod his head. She thanked him before running into the direction of Gene's apartment.
While Mai was confessing to Gene and got accepted, Naru was back at his dormitory's room, holding a letter and packing his bags. Just as he looked around his room, he noticed a denim blue cap sitting on his shelf. It was Mai's. He never got to return it. He held the cap up and thought fondly of their first meeting before putting the cap into his bag.
Naru was seated in a train headed to the airport. He had chosen to drop out and return home, to England. No one knew about his departure besides the dorm head and principal. As he waited for the train's departure, he thought back to all the memories he shared with Mai. Just as he was starting to feel sentimental, Mai's voice could be heard. At first, Naru thought he was imagining it until Mai suddenly appeared in front of him and trying to drag him out of the train. Snapping out of his thoughts, Naru pulls away.
In a loud and upset voice, Mai asks, "Naru, why are you suddenly leaving? There's only one semester left!"
"It is not sudden. My father have been wanting me back to help out with his business. Also, I have already completed my university degree back in England," Naru replied coldly.
Still trying to get Naru to stay, Mai continues, "B-but there is my sports meet. You promised me that you would cheer me on!"
"Promises are meant to be broken," Naru was purposely hurting her and she knew that but it still hurt.
"No. Best friends don't break their promises to each other," Mai struggled to hold on to her last hope.
Without batting an eyelid, Naru turned his back on her and said, "Only you selfishly thought that we were best friends."
That was the last straw and he knew, which was why he had chosen to say it even though he himself felt hurt.
With tears in her eyes, Mai screams, "Fine, do whatever you want, idiot! You are not my best friend anymore!"
Mai ran out of the train while Naru tried his best to nonchalantly go back to his seat but his façade fell the moment he sat down. Tears began streaming down his face and he had to choke back his tears.
I don't need a stupid friend like him.
This is goodbye.
You will meet again.
So hey. I am finally back again after so many months of procrastinating. I hope you liked this and the next chapter will be a looooooong time later :D This was based on a movie so if you noticed the similarity, yea…
Anyways, regarding some parts of the story, I have idea how a university works, so will have errors. The shooting stars bit are totally imaginary so don't believe it XD
Do look forward to the next chapter!