Hiya, people. Here's chapter 7! Be sure to read the bottom note (:
I don't own Spirited A- You know what? Screw it. I DO own Spirited Away. I know.. I shouldn't have lied..
You guys know the drill. I don't own Spirited Away.
Enjoy!
Chihiro stared at the equipment in front of her. Her mood took a downturn as she realised she hadn't a clue how to use even one of them.
"U-um, which one do we use first?" She asked the boy beside her. She rubbed the back of her neck apologetically.
He picked up a big square thing, glancing down at the sheet of paper in his hands as if double-checking something. "This." And then he asked "Chihiro, do you even know how to do this prac?"
There it was again. Her name. The way he said it seemed so special, as if nobody else besides him could pronounce it properly. She blinked, and realised she'd completely forgotten the question he'd just asked.
"Come again?" She asked apologetically.
He laughed, and clutched his sides. Even though he was laughing, Chihiro noticed that she couldn't pick out a single flaw.
"Wh-what?!" She cried out, pretending to be annoyed even though a smile was threatening her lips. She could feel the corners of her mouth twitch up, along with her eyebrows.
"I'm guessing you don't know how to do any of this." He choked out between breaths. However, the way he'd said it wasn't offensively. It was almost.. funny.
Chihiro finally gave in to her smile. Her genuine smile.
'How long has it been since I smiled this way?'
Then she began to laugh. The sound of their laughter chiming together was the happiest sound Chihiro had ever heard. She was so incredibly happy at that moment that she didn't even notice when he suddenly became silent. When she did, she opened her eyes, a sarcastic comment on the tip of her tongue, but she held it in.
Before he had time to conceal it, Chihiro saw something in Haku's eyes that sent lightning bolts through her body.
"What.. was that?" She whispered, unable to raise her voice at all.
"What was what?" He asked, turning his head towards the lab table.
"You know. That look." She pushed.
'Why am I even asking these questions? What am I hoping to hear..?'
She looked down at her shoes. "I'm sorry, I think I must have imagined somethi-."
"-Your smile."
Chihiro froze on the spot, her body turning to ice. "Huh?"
"It.. blew me away a little bit. You should definitely smile more often." He continued, keeping his eyes down as he rearranged a flask.
Chihiro always thought that the term 'butterflies in my tummy' was so silly. But now, now she finally understood what they meant. Because the butterflies in her own tummy were most certainly there at that moment, taking flight and fluttering around. She'd never felt anything quite like this before.
Slowly her thoughts became muddled. 'He likes my smile. He likes my smile..'
The ticking of the clock in the science lab was suddenly the loudest noise in the room.
What was he thinking? He'd probably scared her off for good now. For a moment he'd completely forgotten about her memory, and had only focused on himself and his own feelings. And he'd let it all slip out before he could think of an excuse. He felt like smashing his head into a wall ten times.
Haku dared to peek at her. And she was.. smiling. Right at him. Haku smiled back, concealing the worry within him.
"You're right, you know."
"Eh?" Haku watched her as she leaned back on the table and gazed up at the ceiling.
"You're right. About me smiling, I mean." She exhaled. "I haven't smiled this way in a while, so it doesn't happen too often."
"Why not?" Haku asked, his senses perking up.
She raised an eyebrow at him. Then she laughed, the corners of her eyes crinkling ever so slightly. "Maybe because.. No, it's okay, I don't want to say."
"No, tell me." Haku said, scooting over beside her.
"Haku, it's oka-"
"-Please?" He pleaded, desperately trying to keep the conversation alive.
Chihiro sighed. "I'm.. lonely." She murmured, letting her hair fall from behind her ear to block him from her view.
Haku felt his heart drop. He'd spent years dwelling over Chihiro leaving him, but now he could see that it was really him who left her. And here she was, telling a perfect stranger that she was lonely. And it was because of him. His fault.
And she didn't know.
Haku turned his back to Chihiro, and buried his face in his hand, where she couldn't see. His mouth curled into a snarl, pure hatred for himself. 'I'm so sorry, Chihiro.'
"Why are you sorry?" He heard her ask.
"What?"
"Just now. You said "I'm sorry, Chihiro." Or something like that."
Haku's eyes flew open and he spun on his heels to face her. All he could do was gape as she searched his face for answers.
"I.. just.. I'm sorry you feel that way. Must be horrible." He covered up quickly.
"But it's okay!" Chihiro beamed. "Even if Aya and her friends hung out with me, I honestly think I'd rather be alone anyway."
"Yeah, I feel that." Haku joked, trying to lighten the mood. His brow wrinkled a little. 'She heard my thoughts..?'
And then she laughed again. That pure smile and face full of beauty made Haku's heart skip a beat.
"Anyway, why do you get to know about me?" She said, recovering from her laughter. "Last time I checked, you wouldn't answer my questions concerning you."
Haku frowned, his brows pulling together in worry.
"Let's just.. do the prac, okay?"
Chihiro's smile faded. "Sure."
She had a feeling she'd entered 'no-go' territory again. The way he smoothly brushed off her questions. What did it even matter? Maybe she'd gone a little far, telling him personal feelings. She'd known him for merely a day, so why did she suddenly blurt it out?
Chihiro sighed, and heaved her bag into her locker. The prac had ended with approval from the sensei, but Chihiro was more concerned about the fact that Haku hadn't spoken to her since that time. Sensei had asked him to stay back, and dismissed Chihiro. Now here she was, the next morning, beginning the dreaded school day all over again.
She pulled out some books and slammed her locked shut. She flinched slightly at the rough action.
"Good morning."
Chihiro gasped, and whipped her head around. And there he was; Haku. He had the dopiest grin on his face, and was standing much too close for Chihiro's comfort. One of his hands was in his pocket; the other was holding his bag, which was slung over his slender shoulder. She was too shocked to even blush, like she normally would have in that kind of situation.
"Good morning." She replied, and edged to the side to widen the gap between them. If he noticed the movement, he didn't say anything. Chihiro tried to mimic his smile, but it didn't feel quite right on her lips.
"I'll walk you to class." He offered, waiting for her permission.
"Oh, no- um, y-yeah, sure.. okay." Chihiro winced at her own awkwardness.
He smirked playfully. "I'll take that as a yes, then."
Chihiro noticed Haku trailing behind ever so slightly as they walked. She slowed her pace so he would be able to catch up.
"I'm sorry, you're just walking a little fast." He laughed.
"Am I?" Chihiro noticed that as she slowed, her pace became more recognisable. 'Am I nervous?'
Chihiro shook her head roughly. What's there to be nervous about? She tilted her head to the side slightly and peeked at Haku beneath her lashes.
"Hey, you!" Chihiro and Haku both turned to meet eyes with a small group of guys lounging by the nearby lockers. One of them stepped forward, addressing Haku. "I haven't seen you 'round here before. What your name, man?"
"Usually people introduce themselves before working up the nerve to ask others who they are." Haku replied, his face masked from emotion. Chihiro froze, stepping ever so slightly behind Haku in attempt to camouflage into the background. Nobody talks to the school's lead basketballer like that. Nobody.
As expected, students nearby began to gather around the two, eager to see the drama.
The boy burst out laughing. "You seem a'ight, brother. Want to hang out with the team sometime?" He gestured a thumb to the group behind him. Chihiro knew that every witness, including herself, was drowned in shock. The basketballers are the most popular male group in school. They usually keep to themselves, and never, never socialise with normal students.
"Team?" Haku raised an eyebrow. His eyes flickered to the group.
"Basketball. You seem cool enough. Let's just say I've never heard anyone be so blunt with me before."
"Is there a rule against it? I didn't realise."
The boy laughed again, running his hand through his spiky brown hair. "Yano." He said, grinning and holding out his hand.
Haku seemed taken aback, yet Chihiro felt his muscles relax beside her, while her own remained rigid. Hearing the Team Captain's actual voice was not something you got to hear every day.
"Haku." The subject replied cheerily, shaking the hand in front of him with an equally cheesy grin on his face.
"Cool. See you around, man."
Chihiro could literally feel the happiness seeping out of him as they walked. She, on the other hand, was still dead shocked. How had he of all people managed to cozy up to the basketball team? Chihiro let her eyes glide sneakily over to the dope standing beside her.
He seemed like any normal guy (minus the irritably good looks) from just looking at him. But Chihiro felt as though she could feel something.. more than that. Haku hummed happily to himself, obviously happy to have made some new friends.
Chihiro stopped, and Haku mimicked; giving her a raised eyebrow.
"This is my classroom." She said, lifting her right hand to jab her finger at the door on the left.
"Oh." Was that disappointment? "Wait for me here after class, okay?" He said, smiling, but not meeting her gaze.
"..Mm", Chihiro nodded.
"I mean it, Ogino. Don't go running off on me."
Chihiro pursed her lips, playing along. "What if I need to go to the ladies' room?"
Haku raised his eyes to meet hers, and winked. "Then I'll know where to find you."
Chihiro could only watch as Haku waved and made his way down the hall, his bag still slung over his shoulder. Her face felt flustered after his comment.
She tsked to herself quietly. "Moron."
Hey guys! So, this chapter is really fluffy, and there wasn't much point, I know, but all in good time, my raindrops!
I plan to keep their relationship at a realistic pace. I aspire to have a story that I'm proud of at the end. I'm sorry to keep up the suspension, but for now I'm keeping it PG rated. Ratings might have to go up depending on where I go with the plot/language. I want this story to be as clean as possible, so I can almost guarantee that there won't be any smut.
Thanks for keeping up with me, guys! Review for some feedback? Xx
