05: Red
It was the night that I promised my girl that I would escort her to the dance. Although I hated to dress up formally, I had to slip into that dark tux Ayame designed for me. For Kisa's sake.
But after I saw the beautiful nymph that walked out of the dressing room shyly, I had to thank the gods that I decided to go with her.
Her short hair was pulled back with gold barrettes on both sides, and a simple ruby necklace adored her equally simple but striking loveliness.
She looked a little surprised too when she saw me. I guess she was not used to seeing me dressed so formally. Heck, I wouldn't even do the top buttons of my shirt! But now, I could feel myself suffocate a little. The bow on my neck was a little too tight.
But right now, I feel more uncomfortable. Kisa was staring at me far longer than usual, and more intently, if I may add. I started to feel more self-conscious, which was peculiar, because I never knew how to be concerned about my looks. Yet now, I was starting to absent-mindedly fix myself, wondering whether there was dirt on my face, or my nose is bleeding, or my eyes are popping out…
"You look great tonight," said Kisa at last, smiling. "Why, you will be the center of attention tonight, I'm afraid."
I sighed, relieved that I didn't look like a clown by pretending to be as business-like as Hatori. "Thank you, Kisa. I think you look stunning tonight too."
She blushed and looked away. "Ano…"
I smiled tenderly and offered her my arm. "Shall we?"
She nodded eagerly and placed her arm around mine.
True to her words, every girl turned to look at me when I arrived. They were scrutinizing me as if I was a random species from another planet. I know that the look that they were giving me were unusual. It wasn't just a look of adoration; there was meaning hidden behind those looks.
However, I chose to ignore the dread bubbling up within me. Kisa didn't seem to notice what I was seeing anyway. I was just being paranoid.
I hope.
"I'm going to graduate this year," narrated Kisa to her other classmates as I stood by her side dutifully. "I'm going to pursue interior design, I think."
"At least you don't have to worry about one thing that we all worry about," said one girl whom I forgot the name, but I noticed was trying to creep her way beside me. "You've got a really good boyfriend beside you."
Her face reddened. "N-No, you're mistaken! H-He's my elder cousin, Hatsuharu Sohma."
I bowed politely. The girls swooned readily. I sighed. I always get that strange reaction from females when I get acquainted with them, although for the life of me, I couldn't figure out why,
"Well at least he's much nicer than that other guy…what's his name?" asked another girl.
"Sohma Hiro, right? Another cousin of yours?" asked the other girl.
Kisa's eyes shook, and I fought the urge to strangle those tactless women. Why did they bother bringing up that topic anyway?
But destiny decided to add salt to the injury. The same girls turned to the doorway and gasped. "Speaking of the devil, look who's here!"
Kisa and I turned to where they were looking, and found a confident tall red-haired woman walking towards the party, with a young man dutifully walking beside her. I clenched my fist.
"He's here!" whispered Kisa.
Hiro must have felt our gazes, for he turned our way. His face turned pale, but his female companion saw Kisa, and was pulling him with her towards our group.
The girl hid behind me and squeezed my arm, and I stepped in front of her protectively on instinct.
"Hey guys!" greeted the girl "Long time no see eh?" She then looked at Kisa and smiled sweetly. "I'm glad that you made it to our party. It wouldn't be the same without you."
My partner looked down, and I felt myself get angrier. She was doing it purposely, using Hiro to hurt Kisa.
"Oh, by the way, I'm sure you still remember him," said the unknown obnoxious girl, gesturing towards the quiet Hiro. "My fiancé, Sohma Hiro."
Silence.
"I-I see…" Kisa looked up at her former fiancé. "Long time no see."
"Yeah," agreed Hiro.
Another silence, but was broken later by the music of waltz.
"Oh, Hiro! Let's dance, shall we?" Without waiting for a reply, the girl pulled the helpless Hiro into the dance floor.
I turned to Kisa, and found her eyes welling up with tears again. My heart was pained. Why? Why, of all nights, would this have to happen? After so many months of recovering her strength, this would have to happen and break down all the hardships Kisa went through to heal herself.
The pitying looks she was receiving from her classmates weren't helping. I was about to say something when Kisa ran off.
"Kisa!" I called, ignoring the heads that turned towards us. I followed her outside and caught up with her right before she left the school gates. "Kisa, wait!" I pulled her arm back, and she collapsed against me weakly. I cupped her face and winced when I saw her eyes swollen with crying already. "Kisa…" I whispered, wiping her tears with my thumb gently. "Oh please, good Lord, don't cry…" I whispered.
"H-He found someone else to love…w-why didn't he tell me?" she hissed through her tears. "Why didn't he tell me so…not like this. He made me look like a fool."
"Kisa…"I hugged her tightly, crushing her vulnerable softness within my arms. "Ssh, I'm sorry."
I'm sorry if I wasn't able to protect you from this pain you're feeling.
"N-No…it's not your fault…" she whispered. "I was stupid…so stupid… I cannot possibly go back in there…I can't face the shame…"
I leaned down towards her and caressed her tousled hair soothingly. "No, you're not stupid. You are beautiful…you are the most beautiful girl in that party, and you can not go back there."
She hiccuped.
"Please, Kisa?" I begged. "Do it for me?"
"W-Why else would you like to go there?" she asked.
"Because I want to show everyone what a lucky fellow I am, being the escort of such a lovely girl as you are," I said. "Especially Hiro, for he was such a fool to let an angel like you disappear from his life."
Her eyes shook. "Thanks, Haru-kun."
"Now come on," I said, gently pulling her back into the hall.
She was still sniffling, but there was a small smile on her face, one that touched my heart in a way I couldn't describe.
Whenever sang my songs, on the stage, on my own.
Whenever said my words, whishing they would be heard.
I saw you smiling at me, was it real or just my fantasy ?
You'd always be there in the corner of this tiny little bar.
My last night here for you, same old songs just once more.
My last night here with you ? Maybe yes, maybe no.
I kind of liked it your way , how you shyly placed your eyes on me.
Oh,did you ever know ? That I had mine on you…
Kisa and I…we were dancing at the corner of the dance floor, swaying our bodies to the slow tempo of the love song. I had my arms around her waist possessively, as if showing Hiro, in case he was looking, that he just lost a treasure when he lost Kisa.
Darling so there you are, with that look on your face.
As if you're never hurt, as if you're never down.
Shall I be the one for you ? Who pinches you softly but sure.
If frown is shown then I will know that you are no dreamer.
So let me come to you close as I wanna be.
Close enough for me to feel your heart beating fast,
And stay there as I whisper how I loved your peaceful eyes on me.
Did you ever know that I had mine on you ?
"Thank you, Haru-kun," said Kisa, laying her head on my shoulder. "Thank you for being always here."
"Where else would I be?" I asked back, enjoying this feeling. "I belong with my girl."
Darling so share with me, your love if you have enough,
Your tears if you're holding back, or pain if that's what it is.
How can I let you know, I'm more than the dress and the voice.
Just reach me out then you will know that you're not dreaming.
"I wouldn't know what I would do without you," she said. "I wouldn't know what I would do without you…"
"Don't start crying again," I begged. "People are starting to stare at us. They might think that I did something to you."
"Haru-kun…"
Darling so there you are, with that look on your face.
As if you're never hurt, as if you're never down.
Shall I be the one for you ? Who pinches you softly but sure.
If frown is shown then I will know that you are no dreamer.
I stopped dancing, and so did she. We were gazing at each other, for what seemed like eternity.
And then, I had to pull away. I didn't know why, but I had to. "Thirsty?"
"Um…"
I sighed. What the heck did I say?
I broke the magic.
It was all my fault.
But just when I thought things were doomed, she smiled good-naturedly. "Alright!"
I smiled back at her, though deep inside, I know that tonight, I'm going to spend the night thinking of somebody.
Tsuzuku
I'm sorry if this chapter features only one color. I got tired of typing already….my fingers hurt!!! Lol
The concluding chapter will be out soon!
Syaoran no hime