Bonus 3: The stars also show you the past
Author's note: This scene would take place between the second and third scene of chapter 14 of my fanfic "Mafuyu Kirisu, the ice queen".
(Mafuyu and Nariyuki are sitting in the snow wrapped in a thick blanket while looking at the stars)
Mafuyu: (Resting her head on Nariyuki's shoulder)
Nariyuki: (Smiles) Do you remember when we went to Fumino's house a few summers ago and you fell asleep on my shoulder while we were looking at the stars?
Mafuyu: (Smiles) Yes.
Nariyuki: Was that intentional?
Mafuyu: Resting on your shoulder, yes; falling asleep that way, no.
Nariyuki: What about holding my hand while you were sleeping?
Mafuyu: (Surprised a little and looks at him) I did that?
Nariyuki: (Laughs a little) Yes.
Mafuyu: (In a playful tone) And who says it wasn't you who held my hand?
Nariyuki: (Laughs a little) Talking like that you sound like Senpai. (Makes a small pause) Well, I guess we'll never know. (After a small pause) Sensei, since yesterday I've been thinking about something... I've been wondering... since when do you have... feelings for me...?
Mafuyu: (Blushes) To tell you the truth, from the first moment I thought you were a nice kid, but I didn't think of you as anything more than a student. After living a lot of awkward situations together and after you helped me get through all of them, I realized that I could trust you and I started to see you more as a friend than a student, even though I denied it. When I started reading Kareego's comics I remembered what happened at the fireworks, but at no point did I think it was true, I don't believe in that kind of legends and superstitions. However, after what you did for me when I was hesitant about the ice skating, I admit that something changed. When I thought about what you had done for me and how much you resemble your father, a smile of true happiness was drawn on my face for the first time in years.
Nariyuki: So that's what you thought...
Mafuyu: (With curiosity) What did you think I was thinking?
Nariyuki: I thought about the ice skating, but not about I looked like my father... (With a tender smile) It made me happy to hear you say that.
Mafuyu: (Smiles) Since that time I started thinking more about you, and what happened in the PE storehouse made me realize that I was actually in love with you, but you were a student then and I was your teacher, I couldn't say anything. When on the graduation trip I saw the girls approaching you so affectionately and have fun all together I wished I had been born ten years earlier, and at that moment I told myself that it would be best if I forgot about it, but I couldn't.
Nariyuki: I think I understand now why you said that to me and Rizu when we met in the summer of our first year of college, and why you tried to avoid her questions when we went to Fumino house.
Mafuyu: (Smiles sadly) Just after the accident I admit that I was glad to be alive. Even if I didn't have the courage to tell you anything at that moment, I was happy to know that I would be able to share more moments with you and with Miharu and the others. And even though I didn't tell you, when you suggested me going back to teaching History and being your tutor, you made me very, very happy, because that's what I really wanted. At the Christmas party I had a lot of fun, I had never enjoyed a Christmas like that. And when we took care of Natsumi and Akiko and you slept at my apartment, I admit that I thought we looked like a family, and, honestly, that's what I wanted, so when my aunt came to take them away, I was a little down.
Nariyuki: When you opened up to me about what you wanted, were you talking about me all the time?
Mafuyu: Yes.
Nariyuki: So your Valentine's Day chocolate wasn't a courtesy one?
Mafuyu: No, it wasn't. At no time did I say that it was, although of course, I didn't talk openly about my feelings either. Yesterday afternoon, after what happened with Natsumi, I was very scared.
Nariyuki: (Smiles) I'm glad you finally told me how you felt about me. Although, honestly, sensei, did you really think you were going to die from something like that, or was it just an excuse to take the leap, like you were giving yourself a push?
Mafuyu: I don't know. In those kind of situations people always tend to think the worst. Weren't you scared?
Nariyuki: You mean yesterday? (Mafuyu nods) To tell you the truth, I was terrified. When you lost consciousness, I thought you had died in my arms and I couldn't do anything to help you. It was horrible, I never want to feel anything like that again, it was like being in a nightmare. When your uncle came and told us that you were alive and you were going to be fine, I breathed again.
Mafuyu: (Incredulously, in reproachful tone) Did you really have to wait for my uncle to come? Didn't you think of taking my pulse or seeing if I was breathing at least?
Nariyuki: (Altered) Don't blame me! I was busy crying and trembling with fear!
Mafuyu: (Sad, hugs him) I'm sorry I worried you.
Nariyuki: (Surprised, smiles) (Jokingly) Many times.
Mafuyu: Many times?
Nariyuki: Yes. That time in the public baths, when you skipped school because of the ice skating issue, when you have a car accident, yesterday with Natsumi...
Mafuyu: Well, we're almost tied, you scared me when you fainted on my apartment when you hit the trunk, when you disappeared on the day of the entrance exam and then appears with a broken leg, and when you came to my office for the results report looking upset and I thought you didn't make it.
Nariyuki: Yeah... but at least I get into less trouble than you do (laughs).
Mafuyu: The score isn't that unbalanced.
Nariyuki: (Laughs) Since we're talking and being honest about things from the past, how about telling me a little bit more about yourself? There are things I don't know yet and would love to know, I'm curious.
Mafuyu: What do you want to know?
Nariyuki: Leaving aside a little bit of the figure skating matter, what was your childhood and adolescence like? How did your parents and Miharu take your decision to be a teacher? What were you like when you were at university?
Mafuyu: Well, until I was seven years old I was an only child. When I was three or four years old I started practicing ice skating. At that time my greatest achievement was skating without falling, naturally, but I thought it was fun. At school I was a normal, a cheerful and hard-working child. I had good friends and sometimes I played with them at the break and during holidays and weekends. My parents were strict and demanding with me, but they were also affectionate, always concerned about my happiness and well-being, although sometimes I felt that they were watching me too much. When Miharu was born I was able to have a little more freedom, at least I could play with my friends without my parents watching all the time and I could fall and fail without fear of being scolded. As time went on, as I won competitions, they began to demand more and more of me, and I no longer had time to be with friends during middle school or high school; that annoyed me, so I began to close myself off to them. In high school I had friends, but only during classes. My relationship with Miharu wasn't bad; when she was little we played together sometimes and loved each other. As I grew up, she started to take me as a role model, and our relationship started to look a lot like the one we have now, except for living together, of course. But when Miharu was eight or nine years old, she started to overwhelm me and watch me like my parents, so I close myself off to her too. I decided to focus on my studies and figure skating in order to not let anyone down, but I wasn't completely happy. When I told my parents that I wanted to quit figure skating and go to college to become a teacher, they got mad and told me that if I chose to take that path after they had worked so hard in making me a young genius, that I should leave home and not come back until I had thought about my actions and decisions, and that's what I did, I packed everything I had, took the money I had saved and leave without knowing what I was going to do. Miharu cried a lot and begged me a hundreds of times not to leave, but I didn't listen to anyone. When I found myself on homeless at the age of eighteen and with no idea of how I was going to find a place to live, do the paperwork and start living alone, I began to cry. I felt alone and anxious, I wanted to fulfil my dream, but I was very afraid and I didn't know what to do. At that moment your father arrived.
Nariyuki: (Surprised) My father?
Mafuyu: Yes.
*Flashback*
Yuiga: (Worried) Hey, Kirisu! What happened?
Mafuyu: (Runs towards him crying)
Yuiga: (Hugs her and strokes her hair trying to calm her down, as if she were his own daughter) Cry all you need and vent, when you are more calm, you can tell me everything and we will see how I can help you.
Mafuyu: (Cries uncontrollably)
(...)
Mafuyu: (Wipes tears as she whimpers and breathes anxiously)
Yuiga: We'd better go home, so you can tell me about it. After almost an hour of crying, I think you should drink some water.
(...)
Yuiga: Tadaima...
Mafuyu: (Entering, with muffled voice) With your permission...
Yuiga: Hanae, this is Mafuyu Kirisu, my former student.
Mafuyu: (Bowing slightly) Nice to meet you.
Yuiga: Can you lend me a glass of water? We've been away quite a bit; I don't want the child to get dehydrated.
Hanae: Sure. (Prepares two glasses of water, one half-full for her husband and a large one for Mafuyu) Here you have.
Mafuyu: (Taking the glass) Thank you.
Yuiga: (Taking the glass) Mizuki, Nariyuki, go play outside, Dad needs to talk to this young lady alone for a while.
Mizuki (6 years old): Okay.
Nariyuki (9 years old): Ok, Dad. (Gives a candy to Mafuyu) Take it, don't be sad, please, whatever problem you have, I'm sure my dad can help you.
Mafuyu: (Surprises and takes the candy) Thank you.
(The children come out and Yuiga sits at the table with Mafuyu)
Yuiga: So, what happened Kirisu?
Mafuyu: (Repressing the crying) My parents have thrown me out of the house.
Yuiga: (Surprised) What?!
Mafuyu: When I told them I wanted to give up figure skating to become a teacher they told me to leave and not come back until I changed my mind.
Yuiga: Is being a teacher still your dream?
Mafuyu: (Decided) Yes.
Yuiga: Well, in that case you're going to have to take the consequences, at least until they come to their senses. Knowing your parents, I don't think it's a good idea to talk to them now, it would only make things worse.
Mafuyu: (Sad) I don't think they'll come to their senses.
Yuiga: Never lose hope. (Looking at the garden where their children are playing) As a father I tell you that love for children is stronger than selfishness, they will come to their senses sooner or later. What are you planning to do?
Mafuyu: Find a flat, learn to manage on my own and go to university.
Yuiga: Well, you have a week to look for an apartment, get settled and prepare everything. Since you don't have a place to stay, you can spend the night here.
Mafuyu: But-
Yuiga: No buts, I won't let a teenager like you be out there alone at this time of night without a place to go. Our house is small, but at least you will be safe. Tomorrow we'll help you find a place to stay.
Mafuyu: (Moved) Thank you very much, Yuiga sensei.
Yuiga: If you want, you can take a shower while my wife makes dinner.
Mafuyu: (Bowing) Thank you both for your kindness. (Moved) I really don't know how I can thank you for everything you are doing for me.
Yuiga: To see you happy and safe is enough for me. Who knows, maybe in six to ten years you'll be teaching Nariyuki and Mizuki.
Mafuyu: (Smiles slightly and looks at the children. Nariyuki looks inside the house and smiles at her)
*End of the flashback*
Nariyuki: (Surprised) It's true! I didn't remember that.
Mafuyu: (Smiles) Thanks to your father I moved into my current apartment, and as soon as I settled in and relaxed, I started feeling free for the first time in my life. At university I made good friends, although we all grew apart after graduating. The truth is that even though my apartment was a mess and I didn't have much money because I spent everything in books, food and rent, I was happy at that time, and I have to thanks that to your father.
Nariyuki: (Smiles) He was a good person, and I'm happy and proud to have had him as a father.
Mafuyu: (Smiles) And I'm proud to have had him as a teacher and to had his son as a student. Who knows, maybe if I hadn't decided to be a teacher I would never have met you and we wouldn't be here now.
Nariyuki: (Smiles) I guess I have to be grateful to him for that too, and I hope to do as well as he did when I start being a teacher next week and when I become a father in the future.
Mafuyu: (Smiles) I'm sure you will. (The wind starts to blow) (Shivers) It's cold.
Akina: (From inside the house) Mafuyu, Yuiga-kun, it's just been said on the news that a storm is coming, please come inside the house, I don't want you to be in any danger.
Nariyuki: While I admit that I wouldn't mind staying with you under a blanket in the ski shed like I did that time with Fumino and cuddling up there, I think you've had enough strong emotions and danger for a while now (laughs), we'd better go get some hot chocolate near the fireplace while we continue talking. Like I told you that time, it's true that the winter cold it's pretty harsh, but that means people get closer.
Mafuyu: (Smiles and holds his hand) By the way, Yuiga-kun, what did you think that time?, when we met twelve or thirteen years ago.
Nariyuki: I'm not sure, but I remember I was worried because you looked really sad, and when you went to sleep I asked my father what was wrong with you and he said, "Parents and adults sometimes make mistakes too. Changing your ideas is not bad, each person must do what makes them happy, even if it is not easy". At dinner you were very quiet and although you smiled from time to time, you looked sad and worried. And when I looked at you while you were sleeping you were crying in your sleep.
Mafuyu: (Surprises a little)
Nariyuki: (Blushing) I also thought you were beautiful and cute, but, of course, I was just a kid then, I just saw you as "Dad' student".
Mafuyu: (Laughs a little) I thought you were a very good and kind boy, but it was the same for me, I only saw you as "my teacher's son".
(They enter)
Asumi: (Joking) What were you talking about, lovebirds?
Mafuyu: Nothing important.
Rizu: (Giving a cup to them) I made chocolate.
Mafuyu and Nariyuki: Thank you.
Miharu: We were going to play one of Ogata-san's games and watch a movie, would you like to join us?
Nariyuki: Sure.
Mafuyu: Yes, why not?
Rizu: I'll start. Kirisu sensei, do you still feel you're alone and have no one to count on?
Mafuyu: (Very sure of the answer) No.
Rizu: And if you were to die tonight, what would you regret most about not telling someone and why you haven't told them yet?
Mafuyu: Firstly, I've had more than enough of these experiences in the last six months, now I just want to live peacefully and without worries, at least for a while. And secondly, I wouldn't regret anything, Yuiga already knows how I feel about him and Miharu and my parents know that I love them even if I don't tell them.
Miharu: (Happy) (Jumps over her sister to hug her, causing both of them fall to the floor) Nee-sama!
Akina: (Scolding her) Miharu, be careful with your sister, with Natsumi yesterday we had enough.
Miharu: (Getting up) Oops, sorry. Are you okay? (Lend her a hand)
Mafuyu: (Laughs, standing up) Yes.
Miharu: (Smiles) You look happy, Nee-sama, and nothing makes Miharu happier than that.
Mafuyu: (Smiles) (To Rizu) As I was saying, I think I've said everything I had to say, but I haven't done everything I would like to. There are still many things I want to do.
Rizu: (Smiles) I'm happy to hear that, sensei. As Nariyuki said, the difference between living and existing it's the purpose. As long as you have dreams to fulfill and goals to achieve and you fight for them, you'll have a meaningful life. If I had to make a diagnosis now, I'd just tell you to stay away from danger. If you don't accomplish your goals sooner, it will be probably because of your blunders or bad luck lately, rather than because of your mental and emotional state, which is perfectly normal and healthy. And I didn't realize it two years ago, but I think that after what happened today, I will add "in love" to your record from that time.
(Mafuyu and Nariyuki smile)
Rizu: Okay, now let's play.
Mafuyu: (Puzzled) Huh? Wait, wasn't that part of the game?
Rizu: No, I just wanted to know how you felt.
Mafuyu: (Sighs) I'll let you go for this time, draw a card.