7: Budding Romance

"Ah, Saionji-San," Makoto lifted his eyes from the palms of his hands to greet Katsura and I as we walked through the door. Though Kotonoha had dashed out faster than I expected, jitters kept her from opening the door before I got there.

It's better this way; Makoto would be a nervous wreck if I wasn't here.

"And . . . Kastura-san," He smiled shyly. "Good afternoon,"

"Good afternoon," She bowed awkwardly. "I'm sorry for being late,"

"No," His head flies back and forth. "You weren't-"

"Idiot," I slap the back of his head. "You have to arrive at the same time she does,"

"I can't help it if class got out early," He shrugs sheepishly. Groaning, I place my hands on my hips.

"It's part of being polite; if you two want to get to know each other, then you have to make time," Dramatically, I usher Kotonoha to the metal bench hugging the ominous fence nearby. As she smooths out her skirt, Makoto's eyes stay locked on my eyes. I lean closer to his ear.

"If it weren't for the fact I can see the red on your face, I'd wonder if you were ogling me."

"No I wasn't," He hisses.

"I know that, but she feels just as awkward as you do," Grinning, I tilt my head. "Start a conversation,"

Kotonoha's fawn-like eyes blink at us. Pursing his lips, Makoto turns back towards her.

"So . . . What didjya bring for lunch?"

"Oh," She sifts through her lunch bag and takes out three neatly wrapped bundles. Each napkin is a square-patterned blue. "I made lunch for you three to commemorate the occasion; my treat."

"Thank you," Makoto bows graciously, swiping the bundle from her too quickly. The sharp glare I give him goes unnoticed.

"Saionji-san?" Humbly, she presents the other dish.

"I'm alright," I take a salad boxed in plastic from the back corner of my bag. "You can save that one in case one of you is still hungry."

"That's nice of you," She gingerly puts the bundle back in her bag. As she looks back at her prospective boyfriend, he's already chowing down on the whole wheat bread.

"'Looks like you had nothing to worry about," I beam. "He loves it-"

"Ack!" Makoto falls to the ground with a thump. Writhing, his mouth forces itself closed, turning his cheeks blue.

"Itou-kun!" Kotonoha kneels down. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I just . . . Took too big of a bite," He puffs up his cheeks while his eyes well up with tears. "I just have to . . . swallow."

In an attempt to motivate him, I pump my fist like a cheerleader. Realizing the stakes at hand, he finally ingests the bread.

"Are you alright?"

"Y-yeah," He gasps, lifting himself up from the ground. "That was actually really good,"

"Really?" Her legs slide together, and her hands clasp. Does all of her body language have to be so adorable?

"Yeah," He opens his mouth like a shark prepped to consume a school of fish, swallowing the bread almost instantaneously. "You know what; Pass me the extras, I'd like more."

Kotonoha giggles, prompting a deep blush from Makoto. "Sure,"

I jog to the bench and toss Makoto the remaining bread. He devours the other sandwich in the same manner as the other. Aside from the sweat pouring down his neck (most of which could be attributed to nerves), he's playing this off very well. I'm shocked.

"Wow, that was . . . " A queasy expression passes over his face. "Filling,"

"Did you eat too much?" Kastura asks.

"Maybe a little bit, but I'm okay," He sits down on the bench again, bending his back against the bench. Slightly more confident, Kotonoha seats herself next to him. Makoto scoots towards me.

"You're going the wrong way," I elbow him in the ribs. Catching my drift, he scoots halfway down the bench.

Well, at least she finds his anxiety charming.

I sniff the air, catching a red grape scent.

That's some strong shampoo; no wonder Itou's flustered.

"So, how far are you into the book?"

"Three quarters through," She frowns when she notices my confusion. "Oh, I haven't shown you,"

With ease, she spots the book in her bag. She hands to Makoto who hands it to me. I stare at the title for a minute, trying to recall the name.

"I've read this book," I nod to myself. "It was assigned to us in the European Literature course I took in middle school. It's pretty good,"

"Yeah," She hugs the novel. "I've read online that there are actually three endings to this book,"

"There are," I smile thoughtfully. "It's an interesting read; I remember being shocked when I read it because I never thought romance could be so convoluted."

"It's what happens when people treat matters of the heart like it's no big deal," She sighs. "I wish people could realize what love is really about."

I did reveal my initial reactions to Kotonoha and Makoto but neglected to tell them what really unnerved me about the book. I finished that novel around the time I realized how foolish striving for the "best" future really was.

"Saionji-san?"

"Eh?" My head jerks towards Kotonoha. "Oh, just lost in thought."

I bring my legs up to the rest of my body on the bench. "Go on,"

"Do you read much, Itou-kun?"

"Nah," Makoto sighs in exasperation. "School keeps me on my toes; Geometry is such a pain . . . "

"I might be able to help you sometime,"

Shocked, Makoto's head snapped back towards her. A red velvet color shines on her cheeks. "I mean, maybe you could come to my house, and . . ."

"Yeah," He shook his head. "Let's do that some time,"

"Yeah,"

Both heads turned away from each other. I slap my palm against my forehead.

No wonder they're so awkward . . . I'm pretty sure I told Makoto to ask her out first.

On cue, Makoto mouths, "What do I do?" from his side of the bench. Crossing my arms, I respond, "Ask her out for 4:15".

Confused, he explains, "Didn't she just offer to study at her house?".

"You saw how shy she was; that's nothing she's ready for just yet. Ask her out.

"Now." I hiss. Reluctantly, Makoto turns his body back towards Kotonoha. Her eyes stare thoughtfully at the cumulus clouds in the sky.

"Katsura-san?"

She snaps out of her daze. "Yes?"
"

Um, well . . . " He claws at his collar again. "I'd . . . Would you like to go out with me at 3:30?"

After a couple of seconds of awkward silence, she shakes her head.

"I'm sorry; the student planning committee has a meeting around that time."

Dang it; I'd forgotten about that.

"How about 4:00?"

"Um . . ." She holds her lower lip on the tips of her fingers. Finally, "I should be able to make it by that time."

"Great," Remembering his manners, Makoto leaps from the bench and bows. "Thank you very much,"

I watch Katsura for a moment. Her eyes turn from puzzled to pleased. "It's not that big of a deal."

"It's not?" He questions.

"Well . . . I . . . "

She makes sure her hair's behind her head. "Never mind; I'm glad to."

"Great," The bell hums from inside the building. "Oh, we better get going."

"Alright," Makoto rushes towards the door, a spring in his step. "See you later Kastura,"

"Good-bye, Itou-"

He's gone. Way too impulsive.

"Don't worry about him," I pat Kastura's shoulder. "It's obvious he's smitten with you,"

"I know that," A small smile forms on her face. "Thanks for going out of your way to set this up,"

"Huh?" I reply. "Well, all I did was-"

"I wasn't sure, but I realized you'd found out about Itou-kun first when you two were silently arguing after I said I could help him study. I guess he told you that he had a crush on me . . . "

"Yeah," I laugh, holding the back of my head sheepishly. "I was involved in setting this up on both sides. I told both of you some of what I found out, and kinda told some of the stuff to the other so they'd know what to say-"

"Thank you,"

I'm aghast. "For what?"

"Without you, I never would've been able to talk to him," She pulls her school bag close to her skirt. "I don't think I ever would've mustered the courage to talk to him without your help."

"It's no trouble at all," I pat her shoulder. "You can thank me by having a good time."

"I will," She rushes down the stairs. "Thanks again,"

Her voice fades. Slowly, I stride towards the open door. Before I leave, I gaze towards the clouds.

Please, Makoto . . . Treat her the best you can.

I clench my fist.

Please make my decision worth it.

3:45 PM

"See you later, Sekai,"

Setsuna says good-bye once more before I can head out the exit. "'Like I said before, I'm glad lunch with Itou went well,"

"Yeah; he may be a nervous wreck, but he's got a certain charm about him."

Before bursting out the door, I leave on a solemn note.

"I understand your protective of me, Setsuna; but, please, don't be so mean to Yuuki."

Setsuna's irises flicker hesitantly.

"Even if he does like me, he's not a bad person. You don't need to treat him like one,"

Her head grows downcast.

I frown. What else can I say? "I'll call you later,"

"Alright," She says, head still focused on the floor.

Once out, I dash as fast as I can to the train station. Hopefully, I'll have at least five minutes before my train arrives.

I'll move on after this; I promise I will.

At my last breath, I reach the train station. Makoto's wearing over-sized headphones, his slumped posture clearly longing.

He doesn't notice me until I'm seven feet away.

"S-Saionji-san," Makoto slips the noise cancellers off his ears in a hurry. "I didn't expect to see you 'till later."

"I just wanted to send you off before you two went on your merry way," My eyes glistened with the sun. "And, call me Sekai; only the teachers call me 'Saionji-san',"

"Oh," He shrugs. "Sorry, Sekai,"

"It's alright," My posture straightens. "Now remember, always ask her where she wants to go."

"Okay,"

"If you go to a movie, ask her what she wants to see,"

"Alright,"

"And don't listen to the advice in any of those date help books you may or may not have,"

He scratches his head. Guilty. "I'll do my best."

"Now, don't forget, treat her the best you can," I beam earnestly. "You could easily hurt her feelings. Do you understand?"

"O-of course," He's intimidated; he can't look me straight in the eyes. But, somehow I know he won't treat her wrong.

"Alright," Suddenly, my train pulls into the station. I better act fast.

"Haraminhama," The droll voice recites. "Haraminhama,"

"Makoto?"

"Ah, yes?" He perks up.

"Good luck,"

"Yeah," He smiles with the radiance of the sun; a smile I know wouldn't lie in this moment. "Thanks for everything, Sekai."

"You can thank me with a favor," It'll be quick.

"Oh," Have to be fast. "Well, I'm sure I could find something to-"

My lips wrap around his. I find myself holding it a second longer than I expected. In that moment, I felt warmth; comfort.

I never wanted to leave.

Why . . .

I escape. I climb up the stairs to the train and smile confidently.

"Good luck,"

His expression now isn't clear in my mind. As the doors shut in front of me, I'm forced to brace myself against the door. My chest heaves up and down, desperately searching for a second wind.

I turn my body around and slump against hollow wall. A tear stabs my eye and trails down my cheek.

Why does it have to be this way?