KAZEHAYA

Sawako enjoyed watching the folk dancing, and I enjoyed watching her. I often thought that spending so much time alone before high school was what taught her to find pleasure in even the simplest things.

But then, her parents also seemed to radiate contentment. I'd convinced her I ought to meet them since this was really our third date, and I was starting to feel kind of disrespectful not picking her up properly. Since she'd met my mom the other day, she eventually had to agree.

As I turned the corner that led to Sawako's block, I tried to prepare myself. Would her mother be scary-looking? Overly shy as well? Would her father be overbearing, cowing his women into submission? I tried not to assume the worst, but my nerves were shot. I asked myself a hundred times why I had insisted on this, but always Sawako's face came to mind. I wanted to do things right with her, and respecting her parents was a part of that.

I took a deep breath and rang the doorbell. Sawako answered it almost instantly.

At the sight of her, happiness and affection overwhelmed my fears. "Hi," I greeted her with a sincere smile.

"Hello. Kazehaya-kun." Her demeanor was wooden. "Won't you…please…come in?"

"Sure. I'd love to." Okay, that was a stretch, but I'd do anything to ease her distress. She took a step back and I joined her in the entryway.

Her parents hovered only steps away in the small dining area. Her mom was ordinary-looking, but her smile was bright, her face open. Her father was of slight build, not even as tall as me, and seemed to be struggling to hold back tears. Their home was simply furnished, orderly without being fussy.

"Mom, Dad," Sawako began the introductions with a straight face. "This is… Kazehaya Shota."

I offered a polite bow, saying, "I'm very pleased to meet you." Despite my outward show of confidence, I could feel my heart trying to pound its way out of my chest.

Sawako's mom was relaxed and chatty, reminiscing happily about the festival, but she had to expend a lot of effort keeping her sagging husband upright. The second time he asked Sawako 'and you'll be home by ten?' I decided to move things along. Looking rather obviously at my watch I said, "Well, we'd better get going. We're supposed to meet up with our friends soon." Hopefully it would make them feel better knowing we weren't going to spend the entire evening alone. "It was very nice meeting you." Sawako was side-stepping her way toward the door.

"Have a nice time," her mom called cheerfully. Her dad seemed to whimper, and as the door closed his wife was consoling him. "Isn't it wonderful that she has such good friends now, and even a cute little boyfriend…."

When the performance ended I asked Sawako, "What would you like to do next?" I took her hand as we waded through the dispersing crowd.

She shrugged. "I don't care. I'm having a wonderful time."

We strolled past the booths. Occasionally I pointed out something funny; she exclaimed over things she found especially beautiful. We each got an ice cream and bought a bag of cotton candy to share later. Sawako texted Yoshida and Yano and learned that Yano and her group had gotten separated from Ryu, Hiromi and Yoshida and hadn't heard from them. She suggested we try to meet up at the bridge to watch the fireworks display.

Since we were at the opposite end of the waterfront, we decided to save time by cutting behind the booths and following the less crowded route along the sea wall. The sounds of the festival were only a block away, but this area was quieter, mostly deserted, and lit only by the moon and an occasional street lamp.

"I wonder what happened to the others?" Sawako said with concern.

"Hmm." I had a bad feeling about Ryu being left alone with those two. Hiromi seemed to have designs on him and Yoshida had been acting strange of late. "I wouldn't want to be in his shoes."

"Huh?"

"Nothing, sorry. I'm glad I got to meet your parents tonight. Thanks for letting me come get you. Now I'm official." I grinned at her.

But her attention was fixed on something else. Following her gaze, I spotted a couple seated on the pier we were passing. The girl was chatting with animation, waving her arms about. She broke into boisterous laughter that sounded just like…

"Is that Chizu-chan and Sanada-kun?" Sawako asked.

"Yeah, I think you're right." I was just opening my mouth to call out when I saw something incredible. The guy, who sure looked a lot like Ryu, grabbed one of the girl's gesturing hands and pulled her closer. The girl, clearly Yoshida now that I saw her profile, leaned in willingly and the two engaged in a lingering kiss that sent heat through my whole body.

Sawako inhaled sharply while I muttered, "Oh my gosh! That… I did not just see…" I tried again. "Do you really think that's them?" I asked Sawako in disbelief.

She was looking at the ground, her face hidden behind shimmering curtains of hair. Probably as embarrassed as I was.

We kept walking as I processed the thoughts and emotions coming at me in rapid succession. In some ways, I wasn't surprised to see Ryu and Yoshida end up as a couple. Ever since Tohru's engagement they'd been drifting in that direction. Whether or not they noticed, it was obvious they were becoming more than childhood buddies. And then of course he had confessed he liked her that day after school. I'd been preoccupied with my own new relationship and hadn't paid much mind.

I was deeply happy for them.

But part of me was envious. They'd just gotten together—tonight apparently—and yet they shared a kiss that.. well, wow. I was disappointed that I couldn't be that free with Sawako. Not yet. Probably not for a long time.

I sighed and reminded myself to be patient. It was enough, having her by my side, knowing she cared for me in this overwhelming way I cared for her.

Lost in thought as I was, it took me a moment to notice Sawako had stopped walking. Her hand still held mine, tugging me to a halt. She was a couple steps behind me, so I turned to see what had her attention now.

The scene was familiar, and it set my heart racing. Under a dark sky studded with stars, she stood like a perfect statue. Her eyes were closed, her porcelain skin luminous in the moonlight.

Did she remember? Did she know what she was doing? What it would mean to me?

She held her pose, looking peaceful and so achingly beautiful. Then I noticed that her free hand trembled slightly and her cheeks were tinged with color.

She did know. She did!

My doubts erased, I bent over her, my eyes fixed on that kissable mouth. In slow motion I touched my lips to hers, my eyes drifting closed as I surrendered to the waves of emotion and sensation. I felt the slight pressure of her returning the kiss, and then I reluctantly pulled away, determined not to ask more than she was offering.

She caught the side of my shirt, not allowing me to put distance between us. Looking imploringly up at me with those sparkling eyes, she asked tremulously, "It's the same, right? We feel the same."

All this time I was only thinking of what I wanted, assuming she was on a different plane or something. But she was hoping and wanting and hesitant to offend just like I was. And yet she acted on the truth we had already learned: that no matter how shy or awkward our interaction, in our hearts we felt the same.

I chuckled. "Definitely." I reached a hand to cup her jaw, my thumb caressing her velvet cheek. She stretched toward me on tiptoes and I eagerly found her warm lips again.

Too soon the crackle of fireworks interrupted our reverie. Somewhere along the way we'd ended up in an embrace. I shifted around a bit to keep Sawako tucked under one arm while still allowing her a view of the colorful display. My eyes were on the show but my mind was replaying our kisses. I'd surely have sweet dreams tonight.

If I ever managed to fall asleep, that is.

"So pretty!" Sawako breathed.

Her delighted expression was lit up in flashes of red, gold, silver. "Mm-hmm." I pressed a kiss to her temple.

o-o-o-o-o

At school the next morning, I waited outside until Sawako joined me. My heart hummed as I remembered the sweet text message I'd received last night: Shota, I had a wonderful time, thank you. I love you. Goodnight.

As soon as we entered the classroom, Yoshida and Yano attacked.

"Good morning, Kazehaya." Yano's singsong greeting was delivered with a sly look and a not very hidden message. Oh, great. Sawako must have texted them too.

Yoshida jumped in next. "Did you have a good time at the festival?" she asked, elbowing my ribs repeatedly.

I felt my face flush, sending them into peals of laughter. I didn't dare check on Sawako.

I struck back without thinking. "Cut it out." Looking at Yoshida I said, "Why don't you tell us what happened after you and Ryu disappeared last night?"

That shut her up. Her mouth dropped open and shock covered her face. Just as quickly she blushed like crazy, looking toward Sawako in confusion.

I answered her unspoken accusation. "She didn't say anything. We saw you." I'd calmed down a bit now that the attention was focused on someone else. "So are you guys dating now?"

"Errr…"

Ryu's deep voice came from behind me. "Yeah."

Yoshida's eyes darted over my shoulder. She looked surprised that he'd come to her rescue. Her features relaxed and she put a hand to the back of her neck in a nervous gesture. With a self-conscious laugh she said, "Yeah. I guess we are."

"Heh," Ryu chuckled. I backed up a step to catch his eye and grinned. "I'm glad."

Kento's sighing voice came from behind us both. "Ah, lovers are always happy to find other fools in love."

I clenched a fist.

Mercifully Yano took him on first. "What would you know about it?" He continued past us to engage her.

"Ayane-chan," he said with mock chagrin. "I haven't told you my epic love story yet?"

"Don't call me that," she said without any real conviction. It was easy to see that her curiosity was aroused.

"Well, let's see," he began dramatically. "I was eight years old, and she was six.…"

Yano growled and whacked his arm. As he laughed and protested, I followed Sawako to her seat.

Our torment was over for the time being, but as class started Kento raised his hand. Without waiting for Pin to call on him, he stood and said, "I have an important announcement. Most of you probably remember the excellent cram session Sadako-chan gave us before exams last semester." Ohhhh, he is not about to… "Well, I'm sure we're all hoping she'll give another one soon." He looked expectantly at the seat next to him. Sawako's eyes were wide, but she was clearly inclined to oblige her "sensei." She nodded a couple times.

"Great!" he enthused. "Sooo… tomorrow?" he cocked his head and she nodded again. "…Tomorrow afternoon she will be here to offer tutoring for anyone who wants to come." He began to sit, but stood again. "Oh, and in case you've been wondering," he said straight-faced, "Sanada-kun and Yoshida-chan are officially going out now."