Chapter 2: First Kiss
The following day, Hikari managed to get up early unlike last time and arrived at the school promptly. Home room was no different than yesterday. She spent her time talking to Miyako while staring at Takeru from time to time. With no memorable occasion, the classes continued normally until 6th period. In History class, new seats were assigned and Hikari turned out to be next to Takeru.
'What are the odds?'
She thought to herself as she looked at the pale boy. After arranging new seats, the class was told to study freely for the upcoming test. Hikari started studying right after and took notes in her notebook. Everybody was quiet until the teacher decided to go to the bathroom. Chatters were everywhere and multiple conversations were heard. However, unnecessary noises were least of her worries. Right now, she had to deal with a boy who had shown interest in her. The boy also had blonde hair like Takeru who has been sleeping ever since class started, but his eyes colors were more teal than Takeru's sapphire color. He came up to her desk which was dangerously close to Takeru and started asking questions.
"Hi, I'm Wallace."
"Hi, I'm Hikari Yagami."
"How do you feel about the new school?"
"It's great. People are nice and the school is fantastic."
"That's good. How old are you?"
"I'm fifteen."
"How was your school before you came here?"
"Well, it was a middle school, but it was not as fancy as this school."
"Do you miss your friends?"
"Some, but I hope to make greater friends here."
Hikari smiled as she said.
"You got a beautiful smile."
"Thank you."
"Do you miss your boyfriend?"
"Umm…That's nice of you, but I never had a boyfriend."
"Oh really? Then, I was wondering…"
"Hmm?"
'Is he trying to ask me out? What should I do?'
She wasn't all that interested in the boy, but didn't want to hurt him. While wondering what to do, Wallace sat on Takeru's desk, thinking that he wasn't there. However, contrary to his thoughts, Wallace had sat on Takeru's arm instead.
"What the hell?"
Takeru sounded angry. He frowned as he continued to talk.
"Are your eyeballs decorations? Watch where you're sitting down!"
"Hey, hey. You don't have to yell."
"Freaking moron."
"Say that again."
Wallace began to lose temper as well.
"Now you're deaf too? Get some functional eyes and ears from a pig. They'll work better than what you have now."
"Not my fault that you sleep during class like a dead person!"
Takeru seemed to have snapped. He pounded the desk he had been resting his head and accidently severed in two. Then, he stood up, towering the other boy. Without saying anything, he pushed Wallace hard which made him fall. Recovering from the fall, Wallace stood back up and tried to do the same to Takeru. However, Takeru was too merciless to take a hit, so he dodged the push, and punched Wallace's cheek with force that seemed like 50 pounds. Wallace fell immediately and twitched. Anyone with that kind of shock would be at least stunned for good 3 minutes. Takeru, still frowning, walked towards the trembling and gasping Wallace and started kicking him on the spot. One after one, soon, the blows caused Wallace to cough up blood. Despite seeing such brutality, nobody wanted to stop Takeru.
'Why isn't anybody helping him?'
Hikari tried to help out, but Miyako grabbed her stopped her.
"You don't want to go near him right now or you'll end up like that."
"So we just let him get kicked around?"
"Well…eventually Takeru will stop…I hope…"
"You hope?"
Hikari turned her eyes back to the fighting scene. Takeru was still kicking him. The kicks were heavy and powerful. Whenever each hit landed, loud noises were heard. Then, suddenly, Wallace grabbed Takeru's leg and tripped him, causing Takeru to lose his balance and fall down. Thinking that it was a chance, Wallace ignored all sense of pain started to retaliate with the same kicks. Despite such attacks, Takeru seemed unbothered and calmly but powerfully punched Wallace's knee. At this instance, a devastating noise was heard from his leg and loud scream echoed throughout the room. His leg was broken. The poor boy fell and started to cry. In the meantime, Takeru got back up and walked towards him again.
"Someone has to stop him, Miyako!"
"You want to be like him to?"
"I don't care!"
"Hikari!"
Hikari ignored Miyako's warning and grabbed the arm that tried to strike down on Wallace. His arm was thick and muscular. Hikari was surprised because he did not look so strong with big, long shirt hiding his body.
"What do you think you're doing?"
Takeru gave a death glare straight into Hikari's face. Hikari flinched just by engaging his eyes.
"That's enough…"
"Speak up."
"I said that's enough! You don't have to tear him apart!"
"This is my fight."
"I don't care whose it is! There's a boy with a broken leg!"
"He had it coming. It was his fault for causing the fight."
"You both are at fault! Now, help me carry him to the infirmary!"
Everybody looked at Hikari with their jaws dropped. They were shocked to see her stand against Takeru. Hikari got used to Takeru's death glare and frowned while trying to clench her hand which held Takeru's arm.
"Well? Are you gonna help or not?"
"…"
"Come on and help me or I'm not letting your arm go."
"Watch it. Who do you think you're threatening?"
This time, Takeru looked extremely angry. Near him, an aura of murderous intent poured out like a water hose. The atmosphere felt deadly and it felt like it can kill a person. Hikari was terrified and her muscles froze. She trembled and Takeru could feel the vibrating hand which restricted his arm. He shook it off and faced the other way, looking at the crying student.
"…"
Hikari couldn't let any word out of her mouth. She was still stunned by the Takeru's fury.
"Hikari! Snap out of it!"
Miyako ran to her and shook her strongly. Hikari recovered from the stunned stage.
"Thanks for that, Miyako."
Then, she turned her attention to Takeru. After observing unconscious Wallace, Takeru picked him up carefully and began to leave the class.
"Miyako, I'll go with him."
"Hikari, are you crazy? Didn't you see his face? He was ready to kill, I swear!"
"I don't think he will. Don't worry. I'll be fine."
"But…"
"There's no knowing what he would do to Wallace."
"Okay…Sorry I can't be any help."
With that Hikari followed Takeru and left the classroom. Hikari walked fast and caught up with him, walking side by side.
"Calmed down a bit?"
Hikari gently asked.
"…"
"Listen, I'm sorry I lost my temper back there."
"…"
"Can you forgive me? Because I forgive you for threatening me."
"No one asked for your forgiveness."
"…So you're not forgiving me?"
"…"
Takeru remained silent as he walked.
"It's okay if you don't. But just know that I forgive you, okay?"
"…"
The two walked to the infirmary, explained the situation, and left.
"Let's go back to the classroom now."
"I won't"
"Where are you going then?"
"…"
Takeru already started walking for the school gate as Hikari asked him.
'What should I do? Should I just leave him be? He can hurt someone else outside school too…'
Hikari pondered. Then, yelled out to Takeru.
"I forgive you! Don't hurt anyone, okay?"
Takeru walked away without an answer. Hikari went the other way and returned to her class. In there, she found her teacher back at her desk.
"I'm sorry I left the classroom without permission."
Hikari apologized.
"That's alright, Miss Yagami. Moreover, I would like to thank you for stopping Mr. Takaishi from further violence. That takes outstanding courage."
"I just did what should have been done. Anyone would have done it. I just did it quicker."
Hikari lied to the teacher. In actuality, nobody dared to step in except Hikari. The teacher probably knew it too, but thanked Hikari again instead of scolding for lying.
She returned to her seat and resumed studying until the class was dismissed. During her study, she could not focus at all. She was worried about Takeru.
'What could he be up to?'
Hikari was lost in her thought, thinking what Takeru might be doing. But soon, was interrupted by Miyako.
"Hikari. Where you going?"
"Well, school's over, so the club room."
"Oh right. Anyway, sorry I couldn't help you out."
"It's okay. I understand. Anyone would be afraid. I was too."
"I'm really sorry. Next time, I'll help you out."
"Thanks, Miyako."
The two briefly talked and parted ways to their club rooms. Hikari, upon arrival, received countless amount of question regarding her standup against Takeru. She couldn't respond to everything, but answered a few and ignored the rest. The girls and guys assembled and began practicing as Sora ordered them to. Even while singing, Hikari couldn't stop thinking about Takeru.
'Why am I thinking so much about him? He's not gonna hurt anybody. Then, why?'
She couldn't answer herself even until the club was over. Trying to come up with some answer, she constantly thought as she walked back to her home. She wasn't paying attention where she was going nor looked who was around. Eventually, Hikari bumped into a person who troubled her mind throughout the whole day.
"I'm sorry, I wasn't…Takeru?"
"Watch where you're going."
Hikari looked around to see where she was and they were standing in front of Seven Eleven which explained the beer can in Takeru's hand.
"Why did you skip out on school? And why do you have a beer in your hand?"
"None of your business."
With short reply, Takeru started to walk away. However, before Takeru could take 5 steps, Hikari threw a question.
"Did you fight anybody outside?"
Takeru stood still, not turning around.
"Well? Did you?"
Without answering, he turned around and walked toward Hikari.
"I feel like beating up someone now."
He said with a low, irritated voice.
"You can't."
"Try and stop me, then."
"…"
"You can't stop me. I'll do as I please. I will fight and kill if I want to."
That's when Hikari's temper snapped and hit Takeru's face with her petite hand. She slapped him hard because the noise was considerably loud.
"You can't do whatever you want to! Stop thinking like a kid!"
Takeru turned his face back at Hikari, without any facial change. He just stared at the tiny girl who just slapped him.
"Grow up! Look at you! You may have an adult body, but you act like a 5 year old."
"What does it matter to you?"
"You're hurting everybody else and yourself as well."
"What do you care what happens to others? I live for myself and nobody else. I'm not gonna waste my life doing what other people feels happy about. I was born to feel my own happiness, not others."
"What about your parents, then? Don't you want to make them happy?"
"They're dead."
Heavy silence followed afterward. Hikari felt terrible to bring such subject up. She had no idea that his parents were passed away.
"…I'm sorry."
"…"
"I'm sorry, but is that why you're like this?"
"You don't need to know."
"Yes, I need to know!"
"Why would that be?"
"Because I want to help you!"
Hikari shouted her last sentence, emphasizing her feelings. This surprised Takeru and he made a confused face.
"I don't need your help."
"Yes, you do!"
"What part of my life needs help?"
"Friends."
"What a cheesy and crappy excuse."
"Just listen to me. I'll be your friend and show you how life feels without living your lifestyle which hurts other people. By the end of the month, if you feel happy with me as a friend, you can't go back to the way you used to live"
"You're wasting your time. I never asked for friendship. Plus, nothing will change even if you do become my friend."
"You never know what will happen unless you try it."
"I know it because there's no way a girl like you can make me happy."
Hikari started thinking, searching for options.
'Gosh, this guy is so stubborn. What can I do to make him agree with me?'
She pondered for few moments and came up with a decision.
'This doesn't mean anything! It's just to make him agree with my suggestion! There's nothing involved!'
Hikari examined Takeru's height and walked even closer to him. Then, she lifted her feet and kissed Takeru on his lips. She could feel that Takeru was startled. After less than 2 seconds passed, she pulled herself away from him. Hikari panted to calm down her racing heart beat. Takeru, on the other hand, had a face which looked like as if his parents were back from the dead.
"How did that feel?"
"…"
"You never know until you actually try. Now you see what I'm saying?"
"…"
Takeru didn't say anything. He was still stunned by what Hikari had done. After moments of recovery, Takeru finally spoke.
"What was that for?"
"I thought you were a genius."
"…"
'I can't believe I actually kissed him! No! It was only for like 2 seconds and it was to help him understand me. It's nothing!'
Hikari's inner thoughts were in chaos. She was angry and wanted to force Takeru to be friends with her, but once she calmed down a little, she realized she gave her first kiss away to Takeru.
"Fine."
"Huh?"
Takeru interrupted Hikari's thoughts.
"You can be my friend for a month. I'll see what happens."
"Oh…right. Okay."
The both stared at each other, still thinking about the kiss they shared. However, the two were interrupted by Hikari's brother, Taichi.
"Hey, Hikari!"
He came to her, waving his hand. Hikari turned around to see him and Takeru started to walk away.
"Taichi?"
"What are you doing so late outside?"
"Um…I was just looking around to see what's around in our new home. What are you doing outside?"
"Buying some stuff for dinner. We ran out of things to cook."
"Oh…"
Hikari, then, gasped and turned her eyes back to Takeru, but he was gone out of her sight.
"Hikari, what's wrong?"
"Takeru…"
"Who is Takeru?"
"Um…She's my friend from the school."
"Isn't Takeru a boy's name?"
Taichi asked with a suspicion.
"I didn't say Takeru. I said…Takeri."
"Really?"
"Yes, really."
"You do remember I have to be with you when other boys were around, right?"
"Yes, I remember. But I came across Takeri while wandering around. We were talking and you came. She's a shy girl, so I think she ran away."
"Hmm~. Whatever, let's get home. It's almost dinner time."
"Okay."
The two bought some groceries and returned home for the dinner. After dinner, Hikari went to her room immediately, thinking about today's incident.
'I can't believe I kissed Takeru! Am I falling for him? Why would I be falling for a jerk like him? Wait a minute, Hikari. He's not a jerk. He just never had friend and had a hard life without his parents.'
Hikari's mind was in chaos once again. She couldn't believe that she was falling for Takeru and that she kissed him. However, that chaotic mind calmed down once she started thinking about the feeling when she kissed.
'His lips felt good. His lips were tasty even though there was a little beer on it. Wait, what am I thinking? Ahh!'
Her mind was conflicted again. Her mind shifted from chaos to tranquility repeatedly until she fell asleep on her bed.
