Black Cat ch 6

"Izuki!" I called out to the boy with his back facing me. He turned around, startled and revealed Hyuga was starting to walk away in the other direction. I remembered the talk I had with him a few moments ago and I tensed up.
"What will you be doing over the break?" he asked me. I turned to him, saying "I'll be going to (that location from last chapter) with my father. I won't be returning until at least a week before school starts again."
"Really?" He replied.
"Yeah. I'll also be spending most of my time with a friend while he's out at work," I said, smiling at the memories of my past summers with Seijuro.
"Who?"
"You would probably know him as the captain of the 'Generation of Miracles.'"
"..Akashi Seijuro?" He asked.
"Yeah. He actually taught me how to play basketball. I wonder how he's grown," I pondered.
"I bet he's amazing.. You can actually keep up with him?"
"Well, I mean.. I've known him long enough, and he did teach me. But many times, I am lost," I laughed.
"Oh.. Well, when are you leaving to (Location)?" he asked.
"My mother and I are leaving on Sunday," I replied. "Izuki, what was that thing you wanted to say after finals? Must've have been important if you needed to say it after such a stressful time."
"Uh.. I think it can wait.." he stumbled with his words.
"Is it something that's bothering you?" I asked, worried.
"No! Not at all," he said. "Never mind. It's okay," he concluded, smiling.
"It's too early," he thought. I shrugged, disappointed that he wouldn't tell me, but turned around anyways. I stopped, then turned around to face him again.

"Izuki what will you be doing this Saturday?" I asked.
"This Saturday? Hm... I don't know. Why?"
"Do you want to go out that day with me?"
"Do you need something?"
"Not really.. I just wanted to spend some time with you..." I said quietly, averting my eyes.
"Wh-why is that?" he stuttered.
"If you don't want to, you could just say no!" I shouted and turned on my heel, back to my classroom to pack my things and leave the building home. I walked out of the room and he was rushing in, almost bumping into me.
"Wait, Setsuno, I didn't say 'no,'" he said. His face lit up and said, "kitakore!" he took out his note pad and wrote what he said down.

I looked at him in disbelief, not knowing if I was confused or about to laugh. I stuck with the first and moved by him, sighing.
Tomorrow, Friday, would be our graduation from Junior High. (A/N: **I didn't realize that this was actually Junior High, so all the "Middle Schools" should be "Junior High." Oopsies**). Saturday would be my last day here before I went to my father. From Sunday on, I'll be spending time with people from my childhood, I thought while smiling. I continued walking until I was outside of the school when Izuki came calling out to me again.

"Wait! Setsuno! I really didn't say no, though!"
I looked at him and he caught up to me.
"I want to go with you Saturday, but to where?" he panted, a little out of breath.
"I didn't really have a specific place in mind.. I just wanted to go around town," I said.
"Sure," he said.
"You don't have to come, really.. Just forget it, it's fine. You don't need to," I said, turning around and continuing to walk.
"But I want to."
I looked at him again, turning around once more.
"What time until when, then?" I asked, very happy at this moment.
"I still need to ask my mother if I can go out that day," he said.
"Okay.. then.. tell me tomorrow during graduation." I replied. He nodded and we both started walking from the school to our homes. At an intersection, we waved goodbye with each other and parted ways.

I opened the door to my house and was met with barks of happiness. I knelt and Kou came running, his tongue spilling out of his mouth and he jumped onto me, into my arms and hooked his head over my shoulder. I rubbed his back with both hands and he panted, then climbed off of me and looked up at me as I got up. I smiled down at him, receiving a bark in return.

I entered my room again, and laid on my bed, my arms barely able to spread out on it. I took the envelope out of my bag again and read through the rest of the letters. I sighed, not knowing what to do anymore for the next two days until Saturday.

I smiled at the thought of being able to go out with him. There probably wouldn't be a problem with going out that day anyways.

When my mother came home, I asked her.

"Hey mom, we're leaving on Sunday, right?"
"Oh. Actually.. Your father will be in a meeting all day on Sunday, so we're leaving on Saturday. Why?"
"Oh.. Really?" I asked, disappointed. "It's nothing. I just wanted to go out that day."
"With Izuki?"
"Why do you ask that first?" I frowned, blushing.
"Is it?" She smiled. I nodded slightly.
"We can leave later then. At 4:30pm then? Is that alright?" She offered.
I smiled and hugged her, thanking her.
"Are you dating or what? Why are you so excited?" She asked while being shaken by me.
"..no."
"Oh that's right, you like him." She said bluntly.
"Mom!"

She laughed and she ruffled my hair. "Have fun but not too much fun." She walked around me and placed her stuff in her room.
"Mom, are you coming to my graduation tomorrow?"
"I'm not sure. I probably will. It's at 2, right?"
"Yeah."
"Hm.. I think I can work something out," she pondered.
"Okay. I'm going to go to sleep now," I said, turning to my room. I sighed, watching Kou sit in his little corner and sleeping. His blanket was pulled up half way on him and I pulled it up over the rest of him. I left my room to get ready for sleep, and fell asleep hoping for Saturday to come quickly.

My mother didn't show up for graduation the next day, because she was too busy. After the graduation, there were many tearful people who would part ways to different high schools.
"I'm glad I'm not parting with Izuki," I thought. I kept walking around, looking for the said boy. I stood on my toes, looking over the heads of swarming people. I felt an arm grab out at mine and I turned around.

"Hey Setsuno," Hyuga said.
"Hello Hyuga." I replied.
"Are you looking for Izuki?" He asked. I blushed, nodding. He smirked and signaled me to follow him.
"Setsuno, I want to do something, so just play along." He said while we approached Izuki.
"What?" I asked.
"Just let me. Maybe it'll bring good results, if I can lead it into the right direction." He said. Before we broke though the last line of people to Izuki, Hyuga
grabbed my hand and walked towards him. I blushed, now confused but remained still as he told me to.
"Izuki! I found her." He said, waving to him but still holding my hand. Izuki looked down at our hands.
"Why.. What..?" Izuki pointed at our hands.
"We're dating." Hyuga said bluntly. I blushed, now really confused and embarrassed.
"Oh.." Izuki said, a little pale.
"Congratulations, then," he smiled a little.
Hyuga chuckled and let go of my hand. "Izuki we're kidding."
Izuki looked up quickly, a look of relief on his face.
"Really?" Izuki asked. Hyuga nodded.
"You don't need to get so upset. After all, she's saving herself for you as a wife." Hyuga said.
Izuki and I both blushed red and said nothing. I cleared my throat, quickly wanting to change the topic.
"Izuki, can we exchange numbers in case anything happens before tomorrow?" I asked.
"What's happening tomorrow?" Hyuga asked as Izuki pulled his phone out of his pocket. We exchanged numbers and put our phones away.
"We're going out." He said.
"Oh?" He grinned.
"Not that kind of 'going out!'" He shouted, then sighed. "Hyuga just please stop this.." He groaned.
"Then just take my advice already." He said. I also then recalled to something Hyuga said yesterday and I pulled his arm.
"Hyuga I need to say something to you." I pulled him away from Izuki.
"What?"
"Well, yesterday, when you said 'you have feelings for that moron too,' right?" I said, trying to keep a straight face.
"Yeah. Why?"
"Why 'too?'"
"Because it is not one sided." Hyuga said.
"Then.. That means.." I continued, feeling butterflies in my stomach.
"YES. Do I need to spell it out for you?" Hyuga groaned. I blushed, feeling really happy, happier than when I was accepted into Seirin.
"Calm down, I can see the flowers flying out of you," Hyuga said. I tried to keep on a poker face, but it came back out into a smile. I giggled, my happiness containment cracking. Hyuga also laughed a little at my behavior. We walked back and i looked at Izuki, smiling and happy.

"Setsuno? I want to ask a question for tomorrow.." Izuki said. "Can you leave for a second?" He asked, talking to Hyuga. Hyuga nodded and left us.
"So tomorrow.. Do you want to come over to my house?" He suggested.
"..Sure."
"Also.."
"Yes?"
"I know it'll be awkward if you refuse.. but.. I.. well.. um.. " He said, trailing off and blushing.
"Izuki, what is it?"
"Please go out with me!" he said with a determined and red face.
"Wha-" I stuttered, blushing now too. I stared at him incredulously, silent. His determined face began to crumble away with every passing second.

"Then.. I'll be in your care," I said after a while. He said the same back, and now really unable to contain my happiness, I jumped onto him and hugged him tightly. My cheek smushed again his chest and I smiled, relishing the feel of his warmth. He was taken back at my action, but still wrapped his arms back around me, resting his cheek on the top of my head. He tightened his embrace for a moment, then released me again. He pulled away, and rested his forehead on top of mine. I stared at his face, looking over every detail of it and I smiled up at him. He smiled back and I giggled. He moved his face down to the side of my neck and nuzzled his face into it. I blushed, the closeness getting to me. Yet, I still hugged him, keeping the close distance. I, in return, nuzzled the side of my cheek against his head.

"Let's go home now," he said after a few minutes. I nodded, smiling at him.
"You have never smiled this much before," he laughed.
"I'm pretty sure the reason is obvious," I said back. I walked along his side and we continued talking until we reached the intersection. I looked in the direction
of my house sadly and looked at him.

"I'll see you tomorrow," he said, and gave a short hug before departing. He waved goodbye and walked away. I watched his back disappear in the distance and I sighed, making my way home.
I walked into my house, met with Kou, and walked upstairs. By now it was almost 6pm and I sat down, not knowing what to do anymore. I changed into a t-shirt and shorts, then sat down at my desk and pulled out a few pieces of computer paper, deciding to draw a picture. After a few minutes of trying to figure what to draw, I gave up and left my room.

I found Kou rolling around on the rug and he jumped up when he saw me. I decided to play with him for a while, and it soon became 7. I looked into the fridge, about to cook something for dinner. Sighing, I found a nearly empty fridge. I had forgotten to get groceries a few days before and I've been too lazy. I left the house and bought the groceries. Coming home again, I began to cook dinner for two people. At around 8, I was cooking and I heard my door open. I turned out the kitchen to see my mother walking through the door.

"What're you making? It smells good," she said, setting her stuff down on the floor in the corner.
"I made dinner. Go get ready for dinner," I said as I stirred the food in the pan.
"Alright," she replied, sighing as she walked up the stairs with her luggage she retrieved from the corner. She came back down later, in comfortable clothing and ready to eat. I placed the rest of the food on the table and sat down as she sat.
"It was on sale, so I've made you some. I know you like this kind of fish, too," I smiled at her.
"I do believe you're at the house wife level by now," she said and took a bit of her food. "And you cooked it the way I like it. What's gotten into you today?" She asked.
"Nothing," I said nonchalantly.
"Something happened," she accused. I looked at her, contemplating whether or not I should tell her.
"Akira don't you be hiding anything from me," she said.
"It's nothing. I'm just looking forward to tomorrow." I said.
"For your father or for Izuki?" She asked, grinning.
"Both."
"Oh? So open about it now, are you?"
"Uh.. Well, I mean.. Just earlier, we started..." I trailed off.
"Started what?"
"..dating.."
She looked at me with a shocked face, then a smile.
"I'm happy for you," she said. "And I approve of him. He seems like a nice guy."
"He is," I smiled, thinking about him. I continued eating with her and we spoke about her job as a photographer, that she would be able to go to Dad without having to really take days off. As long as she sent in pictures. We finished eating, cleared off the table, and washed the dishes. I shuffled upstairs to shower after she finished her own shower.
Sighing, I laid in bed after I blow dried my hair. I rolled over, trying to find a comfortable position to sleep in. I felt around for my phone and saw a new text from Izuki.

7:47

"What time should we meet until when?"

I frantically looked at the clock. It read 9:20. Quickly I texted back.

9:21

"Sorry Izuki. I wasn't near my phone. Whenever to meet up is okay with me, but I must be home by at least 4:15."

I locked my phone and it buzzed again a minute later.

9:22

"Do you want to meet up at 10:30, then? If you don't mind spending that much time with me, we can meet earlier."

I texted back at 9:33 :

"Won't you get bored of me after 6 whole hours? lol"

Soon enough, he replied.

9:35

"No. Not at all."

I blushed, and began typing back to him.

9:36

"Then at 9:45?"

9:39

"Okay. I'll see you tomorrow. And I'll come pick you up. Good night" he typed, ending our conversation. I smiled, thinking of how we would spend our day together tomorrow.

Early next morning, I woke up at around 8:00 to start. I went to the bathroom and carried on with my normal morning routines. I walked into my room, opening up my suitcase packed for my trip to my father's place. I took out some clothes to wear and i chose a red and black plaid flannel and a pair of jean shorts. I went the the bathroom and actually combed my hair, trying to place it in place and made sure I looked fine. At 8:40, I laid on my bed for a few more minutes, sighing. I was so tired, but excited and the excitement overwhelmed the other feeling. About 30 minutes later, I got back up, fixing myself up a little again and went downstairs. I waited inside for about 5 more minutes until Izuki came by. I opened the door and he stood there, smiling at me.
"Are you ready?" he asked. I nodded and left the house, locking up and leaving.
"You are okay with coming to my home, right?"
"Of course. I'm okay with it," I replied. "I've also been wanting to know how your house would look like," I smiled.
"A shrine, of course."
"What?"
"Wasn't I your god?"
"I can't date my God, Izuki." I laughed.
"Fine with me, then. I'll throw away my title of a God."
We kept walking for a few more minutes and we said nothing. I began to feel uncomfortable with an awkward air.

"There's nothing to talk about.. Think about SOMETHING," I mentally yelled at myself.
"Setsuno," he called out suddenly.
"Yeah?" I answered back, caught off guard.
"May I call you by your given name at this point?" he asked.
"Only if you're okay with me calling you by your given name," I said.
"Okay," he smiled at me.
"And if you stop smiling at me like that so much! It makes my heart hurt," I blamed.
"I can't help it," he laughed. "It's only natural to smile at the person you love."
I blushed, looking down at my shoes.
"..Shun?" I called out quietly.
"Yes, Akira?" he smiled again.
"..." I didn't say anything back.
"You're adorable," he said, laughing. He grabbed my hand and weaved his fingers through mine, bringing both up to his face and kissing the back of my hand. I blushed again and pulled my hand back, keeping it to myself.
"Sorry," he said, scratching the back of his head.
"It's okay.. I was just surprised.. I didn't take you as that kind of boyfriend," I said.
"Sorry," he repeated.
"No, no! I don't mind if you are.. it's just I wasn't expecting it," I reasoned frantically.
"..So it's okay if I do it again?"
"..yes.." I said quietly. He pulled me towards him and he hugged me, kissing my forehead. I felt my face heat up instantly, but I stayed in the same spot, not pushing him away. He left my face and I looked at him, his arms still wrapped around me. I stayed still, hesitating, but then kissed his cheek and pushed away from him, walking off quickly, but slow enough for him to catch up since I still didn't know where his house was.

"Akira that was mean," he laughed.
"Shut up," I said.
He grabbed my arm from behind me and I braced myself. I looked at him after scrunching myself up and he smiled, then looked to my right. I followed his gaze and there laid a large, traditional Japanese house.
"This is my home," he said.
"It's so pretty," I said, still surprised.
"I know." he grabbed my hand again and walked towards the house.