Disclaimer: I do not own Karekano or any of its characters.
Roses
Chapter 2
We sat on the bench at the park.
"How are you, Yukino? I haven't seen you for three months already. Tell me about what's happening to your life right now." Arima said.
"Well, I miss my parents very much. It's like I'm on my own now. I really feel so lonely."
"Don't your sisters entertain you?"
"They're in High School now, Arima. You know how it is there. It's like you don't have time for yourself anymore. On a holiday like this, they go out with their friends or dates."
"Then you're totally alone. I heard Tsubasa and the others don't have time to visit you anymore." I nodded. "Well, don't worry. I promise I'll get in touch with you whenever I can." I smiled.
"Thanks! Anyway, about my studies, it's okay. Sometimes no.1, sometimes no. 2. But I never reach 3 and up." Arima laughed.
"You haven't changed!"
"Yes, I did. I don't wear a mask now. I've learned. Besides, I'm not that cheerful, lively, happy-go-lucky Yukino you've met. My loneliness greatly affected me." Arima looked at me with sad eyes.
"I'm sorry. I should have visited you more often."
"No, it's not your fault." We fell silent for a while.
"Anyway, I've dated a lot of guys. No one was good enough to be my boyfriend." He laughed.
"Oh…so what kind of guy are you looking for?" Do I have to answer that? The real truth?
"Do you want to know the truth?" he nodded. "I was looking for someone who would give me roses."
"Roses? They're your favorite flower, right? Um…why?"
"I've always believed that when you're finding the right one, look for something that makes him unique in a simple way. You've always given me roses when we were still together. And that makes you unique. You know why? Because ever since I started dating other guys, no one has ever given me roses. It's strange…because guys often give roses to girls on dates or on Valentine's Day. And as I've said, out of those about 20 men, no one has ever given me any. Well, I guess it's right to say that I've been looking for someone…"
"like me…" Arima finished for me. We gazed at each other's eyes, not knowing what to say. However, it is Arima whom I'm talking to and he never loses anything to say.
"Yukino, you have always been…" He suddenly stopped. His face became just like mine when I saw him and Tsubame sleeping together. Like his heart have been torn into pieces. I looked at where he was staring. And then I, too was shocked. Just across us were Tsubame and another guy…kissing.
"Let's go." Arima said as he stood up. I was going to say yes but I can't. Why should we go without first showing our faces to Tsubame? I can't let that happen. I have been so sad because I can't have Arima back. All because he loves her. And here she is two-timing him. How unfair!
"No, Arima. Show her that you saw what she's doing."
"No, it-it's not good to fight here…"
"What are you saying?" I grabbed his arm and pulled him to where Tsubame and the guy is. She saw us just when we got to them.
I slapped her. The guy beside her stood up.
"Who are you? Are you trying to pick a fight with us?" he asked defensively.
"For your information, mister, your girl here is two-timing you and him." I pointed at Arima who is standing quietly at my side.
"What are you saying, miss? Now if you don't want to get hurt, stop bothering us." He said. I looked at Tsubame, who is obviously getting nervous.
"You…" But suddenly Arima held my shoulder and went in front of me.
"How dare you do this to me, Tsubame. You should be ashamed of yourself!" Tsubame sobbed.
"I'm very sorry, Arima…" she said. The guy was bewildered.
"What! Then it's true?" He slapped her. "Damn you! Go to hell!" and then he went away, fuming.
"That's what you get for two-timing! I'll never forgive you for hurting my best friend!" I scolded. She looked at Arima.
"Souichiro-kun, please forgive me. I won't…"
"I can't. I'm sorry. Let's go, Yukino." We walked in silence towards his house. When we got there he threw himself on the couch and let his tears out. I sat beside him and let him lean on my chest. I stroked his hair and said, "Let it out. It's okay. I'll be right here."
He continued to cry and as I watched him, tears formed in my eyes too. I felt that my heart ached as much as his did. It's so ironic thinking that I should be glad since I got a chance with him again. But it's not what I'm thinking. I want to give him anything that would make him smile again, even if it costs my own happiness. It's indeed scary what love does to us…
Arima had cried himself to sleep in my arms. I woke him up and helped him to his bedroom. I stayed with him throughout the day and at night, when he was sleeping, I kissed him on the forehead and went home. The next day there are classes again. I went to school feeling lonelier than I ever had. One of my classmates noticed it.
"Miyazawa-san, what's wrong? You look so sad." She said.
"Thanks for your concern. I'm just sad for my best friend because his girlfriend cheated him."
"Really? I'm sorry for him. I hope he'll get over her soon."
"Yeah."
"Anyway, Miyazawa-san, this will make you feel happy for a while. Come with me." I went with her towards the bulletin board. When I saw it, I gasped. My name was written in bold letters and on top of it was "4th year Extemporaneous Speaking Contest Representative".
Oh my God! I've been decided to be the representative! Thank you, Lord! I've been wishing for this since it was announced to us. I wanted to be the representative so badly not only because of the experience and fame but most of all because of the prize. For the champion will be ¥900,000, ¥600,000 for 2nd place and ¥300,000 for 3rd. Oh, I can just imagine what I'll do with the money if I win. I'm so happy!
My happiness lasted for a whole school day. That's until I got home and saw Arima inside our house. Like him, I gave him a key to our house.
"Arima! What are you doing here? Are you okay?" I immediately sat beside him.
"Yes, I just came to say thank you for what you did and for being there for me."
"That's okay. You are my best friend after all." He smiled.
"I saw Tsubame today at school. She said sorry a million times and that she won't do it again. I accepted it. Besides, I don't care anymore. I won't even try to love her again." He paused. "Is it okay?"
"Huh?"
"I mean I know you're really angry at her."
"Oh!" I smiled. "Well, I say it's good that you forgave her. People make mistakes." Arima smiled.
"Right! Anyway, why are you so happy?"
"Eh? How did you know?"
"Yukino, I've been with you in good and bad times for more than 7 years. I know when you're happy. I can see it in your eyes."
"Darn! Am I that predictable? Oh well, okay. It's because I've been picked as the representative of our batch in the Extemporaneous Speaking Contest. The prize is ¥900,000!"
"Oh…I see…it's the prize you're after! Congratulations! Don't forget me when you win!"
"I won't!" and then we laughed heartily.
I'm so happy about what's happening! First, I get picked as representative and second, Arima is happy again. However, I feel that there's still something missing. Yes, I know…it's the roses.
