Aki no Drama
Chapter 9-
Trees and street signs whizzed past the tinted limousine window, but the girl inside paid the blurry images no mind. Himeko's eyes stared distantly at the floor as she stroked the cat in her lap. That mystery man, Miyako's "prince", was on her mind. She hadn't been able to think about much else ever sine their first meeting at the fall dance that weekend. Who was he, and where did he come from? It wasn't fair that Miyako knew a guy like him. As curious as she was, she couldn't bring herself to ask her blond nemesis- even the thought was demeaning.
Himeko sighed. She wanted to know. Maybe there was a way to get information out of her indirectly. But surely it was going to be the talk of the class, so there wasn't much need to worry. She looked at her dim reflection in the window and smirked. Of course she would get what she wanted. She always did.
By the time she reached the classroom, Himeko had several plans worked up. She would not lose to Miyako. She scanned the room, eyes falling quickly on Miyako, surrounded by Momoko and Kaoru as usual. Allowing herself a small, malicious grin, she headed towards her locker in the back of the room, cutting close enough to the trio to eavesdrop.
"So, Sakurako just got some new flavors in. We should go check it out," Momoko was saying. Kaoru whined.
"We always go there, though. Can't we go somewhere else?"
Himeko perked up at Miyako's voice. "You're just saying that because you can't watch sports at the Kintoki shop."
"Well… yeah," Kaoru admitted sheepishly, followed by the other two's laughter. Himeko slammed her locker door shut, irritated by their small talk. She'd have to try a different tactic before her patience wore thin.
After class ended, Himeko cornered Fumika and whispered in her ear. Fumika nodded, and pulled Miyako aside. Himeko watched from a distance.
"Hello, Miyako-chan! How are you?"
"Oh, I'm good, thanks."
"Wonderful! Say, you were at the dance last Saturday, yes?"
"Yes…" Miyako eyed her with guarded caution.
"I thought so! Everyone was talking about your date! Who was he, anyway?"
Miyako smiled sympathetically, preparing to let her down. It was so tiring how everyone kept asking her that. "I'm sorry, but I can't tell you that."
"What? Why not?"
"It's none of your business," Miyako explained sweetly, excusing herself from the conversation.
Himeko, a few rows away, whacked her forehead against a desktop. She should have known that wouldn't have worked. Oh, well, third time's a charm, right? Better be…
Lunch time rolled around, and students began to trickle out into the hallways and courtyards in search of friends and food. Himeko stood alone in the classroom, chewing her lip in thought. Directly asking Miyako didn't work, and neither did eavesdropping. But what other choice did she have? She pouted determinedly. Desperate times called for desperate measures. She would have to tail Miyako until she spilled the beans. Momoko had to pry it out of her sometime. Himeko laughed dryly. Who'd have thought she would have to rely on Momoko? This time, such thoughts didn't deter her. Mind made up, Himeko headed out of the room to look for Miyako.
She found her with Kaoru, walking down the hall towards the classroom. Scurrying around the corner, she waited for them to enter the room before pressing against the door, looking though the window. The voices from inside were only slightly muffled, and Himeko was able to hear them talking fairly well. They retrieved their lunches from their lockers and sat down around Kaoru's desk by the windows to eat.
"Man, it's kinda annoying how Momoko ditched us for fawning over Keiichi," Kaoru said through bites of apple.
"Well, at least it leaves us alone."
Kaoru blushed, swallowing hastily. She mumbled something Himeko didn't quite catch. Miyako smiled at whatever it was. Kaoru took a breath, hesitating.
"I'm not trying to doubt you, but… I just…" She laughed nervously. "It's still really hard to wrap my head around this whole situation."
"For someone who wanted this so much, you seem really hesitant."
"Can you blame me? It's like a dream come true… And I almost trick myself into thinking it is just a dream."
Silence fell between them, and they ate thoughtfully during the lull. Himeko felt the lack of noise closing in on her, hypersensitive to distant footsteps and laughs. Kaoru's voice brought her attention back.
"Why did you ask me out? I mean, you never really struck me as… I mean, there was Takaaki, and it's so sudden and…" Kaoru flushed. Miyako looked out the window. A highly confused Himeko cursed the angle, she couldn't see her face. What was she thinking right now? What the heck was Kaoru talking about, "ask me out"?
"I've always admired Kaoru," Miyako began gently. Himeko strained her ears to catch all the words. "Even before Powerpuff Girls Z. I told you that when I first met you." Miyako turned back to look a Kaoru. "There's just something about Kaoru that I really, really like."
Now Miyako's cheeks were tinged with pink. Himeko was standing on tip-toes. This conversation had gone from confusing to approaching scandalous in about two seconds. She was riveted.
"I know it seems a little sudden, me just agreeing to go out with you like I did, but… it was actually a little premeditated." Kaoru looked at her, slightly shocked. Miyako continued with a little laugh. "Ever since we went to the dance together… I kept thinking about you… it was…" Miyako's eyes flitted upward shyly. "You really are a prince to me."
Himeko nearly died on the spot. She had admitted to going to the dance with Kaoru, and had called Kaoru her prince. But that meant… Matsubara Kaoru was the charming prince, the sweet young man from the dance?!
Miyako's voice barely registered in Himeko's mind. "I really do like you, Kaoru. You're loyal, and brave, and strong, and yet kind and loving, with a strong sense of justice."
Kaoru smiled. "That does sound like a prince, huh?" Miyako smiled warmly and took Kaoru's hand in hers, looking into her eyes.
"I don't mind that we're both girls for a second. Love is love. And I love you."
"I love you, too." Kaoru's voice was softer than Himeko had ever thought possible. So was her gaze, and her smile, and everything about her, actually. Even from across the room, Himeko could see: it was the same demeanor as the prince. Suddenly, Kaoru laughed.
"Now I feel kinda bad, cause I had always thought of you as some ditz before, and now you're saying all these things to me… I thought you were nice, though. And not annoying like Momoko."
"Don't go talking bad about Momoko just because she's not here," Miyako chided playfully. Kaoru grinned briefly, soon opting for a more serious expression.
"I'm sorry I thought that about you. You're really not like that, and I know that know. You're so caring and sweet, and you always put others before yourself, and…" Kaoru stared absently at her for a moment, before grinning slyly. "Flattery party."
Miyako giggled for quite a while at the deadpan comment. "I love how you can break up such a romantic moment with two words!" Kaoru shrugged.
"It's a gift. Besides, if I tried to stay that sentimental for too long, I'd probably explode."
"Don't do that! Then what will I do without you?"
"Die and meet me in heaven." She chuckled. "No, but really… you're great, and… I'm really lucky that you'd go out with me. I can't believe that we're really going out…!"
"Well, you'd better start believing soon, or…"
Kaoru cocked an eyebrow. "Or..?" Miyako blushed.
"Or we can't do couple stuff… like kissing…" Her voice dropped away. Kaoru's face flooded red.
"You'd… want to do that…?"
"Yes. Kaoru…" Miyako sighed. "What if I really do like girls?"
"Every guy in this school would hang himself. And I would do a jig."
"I'd like to see that…"
Kaoru gulped. "…I'm believing…" Miyako smiled knowingly, and stood up, pulling Kaoru to her feet as well. They stood hand-in-hand for a while, the weight of the situation hanging heavy in the air. This was the defining moment of their all-too-young relationship. They would be kissing one of their best friends. Both girls' hearts beat madly in their chests.
Licking her lips slightly, Kaoru leaned forward slowly. Miyako closed her eyes in anticipation, and leaned in herself. Their lips met softly, tentatively, and it blew both girls' minds. Kaoru pressed her lips against Miyako's, who responded similarly. They broke apart just as slowly as they came together, their breaths caught in their throats and their faces flushed. They looked at each other for a moment before Kaoru leaned forward to kiss Miyako again.
Himeko pushed away from the door forcefully, stumbling backwards a bit. Her face was stricken with disbelief. How could what she had just witnessed be real…? But it was burned into her mind. She turned and walked stiffly down the hall and into the cafeteria. Fumika and Hanayo came up to her.
"There you are, Himeko! …What's wrong?"
"Did you find out who the prince is?"
Himeko stared blankly ahead, those images still flashing in her cringing mind. "Yes. I did."
/end ch 9
