Author's Note: I dedicate this chapter to three people, Terry-May, HaveYouNoMercy and Rosa D'Inverno. Without their useful critique and encouragement, I wouldn't have posted the fourth chapter as such.
Special thanks to Terry-May for editing this chapter. I forget to mention, she is my beta-editor.
Reviews and feedback are appreciated.
"What did you people assume me to be doing? Gone on a date?"
That was how the unlikely preamble began between Misaki and her two friends. Arms crossed, eyebrows raised skeptically, she stood facing Reika and Amaya who weren't looking pleased in the least. Granted, that their friend didn't have the tendency to be too dramatic, it could have been even worse a 'confrontation'.
"Of course we didn't. You are being too defensive, Misaki," both of them spoke in unison, the unspoken words left hanging. We know you won't go on a date like this. "But the fact that you were with Fuji Syuusuke made us a bit curious."
Misaki sighed. "That's the second time I'm hearing this."
"This was the reason why you weren't with us two days ago, right?" Amaya couldn't help asking.
"You are jumping to conclusions. I went off on my own, and that was when I happened to meet Fuji-san," Misaki gave a clear-cut reply.
"How interesting…" Reika remarked, winking at Amaya.
"Now who's getting unreasonable? We could have done without that comment of yours, Reika."
"Fine, fine. It was just a joke." Reika made a sign of giving up.
"I know it all too well," Misaki replied impassively. "Now do you have anything else to ask?"
"To answer your question, we are done with the 'questioning'," Amaya responded on behalf of both of them even though Reika was in no mood to let the conversation end.
"Guess I could tease you later, Misaki." Reika managed to say while being led away by Amaya. Misaki chose not to reply and simply followed them to the class.
"You mean to tell me that you actually found someone to debate with?" Saaya remarked dryly while leaning back on the bench.
"Are you trying to imply that arguing is all I do?" Misaki couldn't help asking another question in reply.
"I'm relating from my experience with you," she replied simply.
"Very funny," Misaki spoke, sighing. Their conversations always go like this.
"Not to mention that it was Fuji whom you have met just recently. Very interesting…"
"Please spare me those sarcastic comments of yours, Saaya."
"Who said I'm being sarcastic?" Saaya asked nonchalantly, turning to face Misaki.
"Forget it." Misaki gave up.
"Thank you."
Misaki may have Amaya and Reika as her close friends, but Hayashi Saaya was someone on a higher level. Both of them knew each other too well to read each other's mind. Notwithstanding common similarities, they were poles apart in terms of their personalities. Despite the frequent bickering, albeit friendly, they still turned to each other to discuss matters they needed help on.
"I have a feeling that you might become friends."
"Friends? Now I really wonder about that."
"Why is that?"
"I wonder if he has the time for such things now that the tennis season has started."
"Now that, Misaki, has nothing to do with you. If you were meant to be a friend, you will be. Simple as that."
"Whatever," Misaki replied casually. She got up from the bench, ready to leave but was stopped by Saaya.
"Moving on to more important matters, weren't you going to help me with the history project?"
Misaki stood by the gate, waiting. The history project had been far from over, and she had her own project to complete; therefore the idea of doing it together came up. Leaning across the wall, she was scheduling the whole evening and the things she had to do.
So what if she didn't stick to schedules? No matter how much she would try, it would always go in vain. But it always gave her a sense of control.
Footsteps echoed as someone walked up.
She looked up, thinking it was Saaya, which was definitely not the case…
"Nishino-san? What are you doing here?" It was none other than Fuji who was coming from the courts, a tennis bag slung over one shoulder.
Here we go again. "Ah, hello Fuji-san. I'm just waiting for my friend."
"I see. Do you mean-"Fuji spoke up but was cut in by someone calling out.
"Hi, Misaki." Saaya came up, walking briskly. She noticed Fuji and greeted him, "Hello Fuji. It's been long, right?"
"Haven't seen you in a while, where have you been, Hayashi-chan?"
"Wait," Misaki broke in. "Don't tell me you know each other."
"We know each other since the seventh grade," Fuji replied on behalf of both of them.
"Saaya, you never told me about this," Misaki spoke in a clear-cut tone with emphasis.
Saaya got the meaning immediately, "Uh…I must have mentioned to you sometime ago. Didn't I tell you?"
"No, you didn't." The tone of Misaki's voice was on the edge of being dangerous.
Both of them continued looking at each other.
Fuji felt he had to break in, "Is anything the matter with you two?"
"Nothing at all," both of them answered simultaneously. "It's a regular thing," Misaki added. "Isn't it, Saaya?"
Saaya shook her head. "Right. Well then, see you tomorrow, Fuji."
"See you too," Fuji called as both the girls turned towards the street leading to Saaya's home.
He stood there for a while, quietly musing. Never expected Nishino-san to know Hayashi-chan as well. Oh well, birds of a feather flock together.
"Really, that was a surprise, Saaya," Misaki said, bringing up the topic again.
"Are you still going over that thing, Misaki?" Saaya asked tiredly.
"How do you know each other?"
She hesitated slightly. "We know each other through a kind of a mutual friend."
Misaki glanced at her as if waiting for her to complete. But Saaya didn't reveal the name.
"Fine. Don't tell me if you don't want to."
"Sometimes you are really absent-minded," Saaya remarked wryly.
"I don't recall you telling me about this or that." Misaki turned away as if to protest.
"Let's forget the whole thing, shall we? Anyway, it's not worth knowing."
Both of them didn't utter a single word afterwards, preferring to walk in silence while lost in thoughts.
At night, Misaki stood by the window, gazing outside. The moon was at its zenith, as the surroundings appeared to be bathed in silver. She was, in a strange way, waiting for the weekend to come. It was only two days away. I promised to meet him there, the place where we first actually 'met'. Maybe Saaya could be right, but who knows this might be something more than just mere friendship? Well, time will tell, where this will lead us. For now, it's nothing more than a mere acquaintance, nothing more, nothing less…
