Chapter 10-Metamorphosis

The moment was over as quickly as it started. I stupidly gawked at the girl who had just gifted me my first kiss with a furious heat radiating off my entire face. My fingers flew to my mouth as I brushed them over my still tingling lips.

Ayano looked at me with a completely placid expression, "Was that sufficient recompense, Midori?"

I squealed in shock and I moved too quickly and fell onto the cold concrete cellar floor on my rump. I guess I wasn't the picture of elegance, huh? I gave a dumbfounded nod as I furiously berated myself for acting like a complete moron.

She finished unstrapping herself from the torture chair and stood up; and offered her hand to me. "Midori? Let's go up and change to something dry."

"Ah…y-y-yes of c-course, sempai," I stammered as she pulled me back upright effortlessly. I watched her walk up the wooden staircase as my brain rushed in a hundred different directions. Most importantly, I wondered what the kiss had meant. I knew I would eternally treasure it as I had fantasized about a romantic moment with my cool and tragic senpai countless times by now. Although I thought I would have preferred my confession to be under the Sakura tree at Akedemi HS; quite frankly I realized the setting hadn't mattered. At least she understood how I felt, if nothing else. However due to her curse her emotions were muted to a bland greyscale view of the world in general and myself in particular. I knew she cared; but did she actually love-

Ayano's voice came from the top of the stairs, "Midori."

"Ah y-yes! Coming senpai." I consulted my phone and saw that my worried sister had sent me a half dozen texts, and I quickly replied that I was fine and at Ayano's house to change out of my wet outfit.

Five minutes later I was in Ayano's old grey middle school uniform, which was a little big for me, but a few well concealed safety pins fixed the slack. My senpai had opted for her Akedemi blue field track sweatpants and shirt. She had unashamedly changed without telling me to leave her room but I had bashfully faced the other way to respect her privacy; even though I rued I hadn't been bold enough to peek.

"You have a pleasing figure Midori."

Whaaaat? My face instantly became all flushed again; and I shivered in embarrassment. "Y-you…you s-stared at me?"

She replied in her perpetually blunt yet smoothly calm tone, "Yes. Should I have not observed your body? I will desist in the future if you wish."

"Ah ha ha ha! It's okay Ayano-senpai. I'm not angry…just a bit surprised."

I felt her now much warmer embrace as she hugged my shoulders from behind, "I am concerned, Midori. That osculation in the basement triggered a further emotional release. It was like…it resembled a sensation of being wrapped up in a warm blanket."

I placed my hands over her arms as my eyes misted up, "It d-didn't have to mean anything, senpai. I know you love Yamada-senpai. I will still support you, as I only wish for your happiness."

"I understand." She sighed softly, "Still I want to explore these feelings further."

By now tears were running down my cheeks, as I knew although she was obliviously breaking my heart, I couldn't…and wouldn't refuse her selfish desires. Even if she got Yamada, I wanted to indulge my one-sided delusions just a bit longer. I would treasure these few precious scraps of intimacy for the rest of my life, even if I never found love again. "S-senpai. You may kiss me again anytime you wish. I want to draw your feelings out. If you use me for practice, then surely you can win your senpai's heart that much faster."

"My apologies in advance for-"

The doorbell cut off further discussion.

…

With her hand nestled in Soma Riku's, Kokona stood on the stoop and looked at my flustered face with her violet eyes open with surprise, "Oh dear! I'm sorry if I disturbed you, Aishi-san and Midori-san."

It was just as well that we had been interrupted. If Ayano had taken me in her arms and kissed me again, I don't think my heart could have taken the strain. "N-no problem, Kokona-san. We just fell in a puddle and got drenched. We just finished changing and were about to head out."

"Oh I see." Her face went from a worried frown back to her sweet and open smile.

"What do you want, Haruka-san and Soma-san," Ayano asked with a mask-like expression.

Soma rubbed the back of his head bashfully. "Er…well. Thank you so much for helping bringing us together. I am in your debt forever!" He gave a sharp bow, and his girlfriend followed suit.

"You are welcome," Ayano looked a little uncertain of the praise showered on her. "I will call in my favor after classes today. It should be well within your capabilities, Soma-san."

"Anything you need," Soma added with an earnest smile.

Kokona giggled with joy, "You saved me, my dad, and my relationships. You two and Horuda-san are the angels of Akedemi!"

I blushed again at the effusive gratitude. "Well, I wouldn't go that far, right senpai?"

"Was there anything else," my senpai inquired coolly.

She looked a little nervous at Ayano's cold demeanor, "This is for you, Midori-san and Horuda-san." She handed over a reservation sheet for a two family-sized rooms in the hot springs in the mountains for an unspecified weekend.

Soma gave a bright smile, "Consider it a thank you…a very small one."

I boggled at the printout, "This must have been so expensive. It's way too extravagant." I turned to Ayano, "Senpai, this is too much."

"We'll be honored to accept," my dark-haired love replied with a faint expression of satisfaction.

"Great," Soma replied with relief. "This resort is among my family's assets. Pick any weekend you like and you will get it." I gasped faintly and belatedly realized that when he had told me he was rich I hadn't realized how rich his family truly was.

"Um, I have another request." Kokona fidgeted a bit, "Saki and I usually did karaoke every week before my family troubles erupted. Would you like to come with us into Shisuta town tonight?"

This time I had wised up enough to let senpai answer for both of us.

"Understood, Haruka-san."

"Great! Thanks again." She gave Ayano a grateful hug, which she reciprocated reluctantly.

My senpai glanced over to me with a slightly disapproving frown but I gave her a thumbs up with a merry giggle.

Soon enough we walked down the street. Kokona and Riku shared an umbrella in the driving rain and cuddled closely. It was amazing how cute it was…and unimaginably bold.

Of course my own courage deserted me and I was using my green umbrella as Ayano used Yamada-senpai's.

Under her teal umbrella, Miku was walking with us a few paces behind the newly minted lovebirds, "So, today's your martial arts demo today, right Aishi-senpai?"

"Yes."

"You must be so excited. I know Horuda-san and Midori-san will be there to cheer you on."

"Yes."

Saki burst out laughing, "Sheesh! You're always so serious Aishi-senpai."

Ayano shrugged indifferently, "Socializing is not my strong suit, Miyu-san."

I smiled and winked to Miyu, "You should have seen what I started with."

The cute blue-green haired girl dissolved into helpless giggles. "Ah…you two are too precious."

"I am not attempting to employ humor, Miyu-san."

"Ha ha ha ha! It's too funny!" She was now doubled over with laughter as Kokona and Riku joined in the mirth.

Ayano fixed me with her grey eyes, "Explain Midori."

With a great deal of effort I managed not to catch the contagious laughter bug as I whispered, "Sometimes, being so deadly serious seems comical to others. Don't worry, they aren't laughing at you senpai. This is a good sign, as they see you as a friend."

She nodded, "Most illuminating. I have no doubt these recreational experiences will add to my skillset of wooing Yamada-senpai. Plus I have additional plans for the hot spring reservations."

I managed to almost keep a straight face as I nodded in agreement.

"C'mon, slowpokes," an amused Miyu teased as she pulled on Ayano's arm; taking her aback.

…

The first club demonstration was the Light music club's in-house band, the Strawberry Thieves. The leader, a spirited third year named Shan-senpai with wild black and red hair played a few demo songs that made me want to dance with Ayano. Of course she stoically watched the band with an impassive face as she leaned against the wall with her arms crossed.

I stifled a chuckle as I saw Kokona and Riku dancing together with abandon. Then I yelped as Saki took Horuda's and my hands and pulled us both into the group of students bopping to the beat.

My poor sis looked like she was ready to sink into the floor, but was surprised when Ren-san from the Martial arts club tried to show off to her by doing the moonwalk. Of course, he tripped and fell to the floor.

Horuda looked alarmed, "R-ren-san…are y-you okay?"

He chuckled sheepishly, "Yeah, I just sprained my pride, Puresu-san."

"Gosh…is that serious?"

He laughed as he hoisted himself up, "Nah."

She made a faint smile as she seemed to realize he was okay.

I grinned as I hugged Horuda impishly, "Wasn't that a smile I saw there for a second, sis?"

My sister started to get flustered, "O-oh…no you didn't, neesama!"

Ren glanced at Horuda with an appreciative grin. I was now sure that he was interested in her.

After the lunch break (which included delectable parfaits donated by Saki) we reconvened in the Martial arts club room. It was a spacious room covered with light green and pine green tatami mats. A woven light tan sparring mat covered the entire center of the room. Already I saw the club leader, the black haired Masuta-senpai stand in his white gi outfit; white pants, bare feet, and a loose shirt tied off with a black belt. He confidently donned his white martial arts headband as he surveyed his club followers.

The two boys knelt on one side of the sparring mat, and two girls on the other end. I knew Ren-san already from our old middle school, and from Ayano's description I knew the other boy with short black hair was Sho-san. The two girls were the brunette Rai-san and sandy-haired Shita-san.

Riku, Kokona, and Saki filed in along with the other assorted students to cheer for us.

Masuta turned around as he heard Ayano enter, "Ah, Aishi-san, you're…here." His grey eyes looked puzzled as he not only saw Ayano in her gi, but her two best friends were similarly dressed. How my senpai ever talked my sister and I into this I still couldn't fathom…but I guess would do anything for my senpai.

I bowed politely, "Good day, Master Masuta. I am Gurin Midori. With your leave I would like to participate just for today."

He gave a stern nod, "Very well."

Poor Horuda flushed as she bowed frantically, "M-master…I…I'm Puresu H-h-horuda. I would…would be honored to spar w-with Ren-san."

He gave her a confident smile, "Certainly."

We joined the other girls on the sidelines as the club leader gave an appreciative bow to the curious students. "Welcome all. This is the Martial arts club, and I am its Master. I am Masuta Budo. The club regulars are Ren-san, Sho-san, Aishi-san, Shita-san, and Rai-san. We have two guests as well: Puresu-san and Gurin-san. Thank you."

The students cheered loudly, especially our new friends.

"First up. Novice spar. Observe the technique in progress. Ren-san!"

He stood up and bowed with fire in his brown eyes, "Here, Master!"

"Puresu-san."

She shakily got up, and bowed so deeply she nearly toppled over, "Y-yes M-master!"

"Bow."

I watched with overflowing pride in my heart as I saw my imouto take position and face off against Ren. I saw the green butterfly hairclip that pulled the hair back from her adorable face as she gave a shaky half smile to the boy who had admired her from afar.

"Go for it, Horuda-san," Kokona yelled cheerfully.

She had bloomed in ways unimaginable ways since that day I had accidentally knocked her over in Miduru MS. Despite her shyness and her ever present stammer, I could never have imagined when we had first met that self-loathing hopeless girl would have transformed into a gorgeous butterfly who was willing to spar in public.

Then again, I guess Ayano and I had transformed in completely unexpected ways since our first fateful encounter over the fatally wounded pigeon, right? All three of us had undergone a metamorphosis without even really seeing it except in hindsight.

Next to me Ayano gazed upon my sister and smirked ever so slightly and whispered, "Kick his ass, Horuda."

Masuta waved and barked, "Begin."