Have you ever pondered how those celebrities feel walking down the red carpet with everybody's attention turned towards them? That's exactly how Izumiko felt right now. This was not the first time Miyuki held her hand and dragged her somewhere, it happened more than she remembered. But today was different, perhaps it was her expression, or his expression that she couldn't phantom because she was behind him, or maybe the rumors spread much faster than it should have had. It's the mobile phones. Whatever it was, she wasn't comfortable with the whole situation.
"Who is he?! Is he your boyfriend?!"
"- no"
"- Yes!"
Why would he say that? Am I missing something?
"Explain yourself." Letting go of her hand. "What was that?"
They are at their usual meeting spot, the bench around the horse stables. They were a little hidden away from most people's view though, of course, some students are still visible. The surrounding trees blocked out the winter air, making them feel less cold.
"About Gil- Gilbert-san, it's the first time I had known him though I think I might have seen him multiple times. I thou-"
"Are you doing this on purpose?! Are you actually intentionally dodging my questions?"
"I don't know wha-"
"This is pointless, do what you want."
Miyuki started walking away. While contemplating what to do, Izumiko allowed her real emotions to seep through and acted on them. She threw her arms around his waist, preventing him from leaving. Miyuki stiffened at her bold action but eventually melted to her touch, alleviating his anger a little bit.
"What now?" receiving no response, he gently tried peeling off Izumiko's arms but she just tightened the hug. "You don't want me to leave?" she nodded. "Would you talk to me?" she nodded. He rested his hands on hers as they continued, "do you understand my question earlier?" she nodded but knowing her, he had to make sure "Then what did I mean?" No response. Just 'yes' or 'no' questions, huh. "Do you still dislike me?" Izumiko shook her head violently. "Then, do you like me?" He waited but Izumiko stopped responding. He sighed and prepared to leave. "Let's cool our heads for now. Go back to your room, it might get colder in a while. I'll check on the situation with that Gilbert guy." Even after saying that, Izumiko didn't let go, albeit, tightening the hug causing Miyuki to struggle breathing a bit.
"Izumiko, I'm not angry anymore. Let's just talk some other time. You're not talking to me so staying here like this is useless" He could hear muffled sounds but couldn't make out what they meant. "Speak louder."
"- won't let go. If I do, I don't know what will happen afterward."
"Then why won't you talk?"
"I don't want to say this out loud, but anything I say people might, no, are usually inclined to follow not always willingly but because that's what I, the me with the abilities I was born with and the goddess, said. I don't want to bind anybody to me just like how you were forced to change schools and now, risk your life protecting me. S-s-so … I can't not be careful with what I say."
Miyuki fell silent for a while worrying Izumiko.
"Don't be ridiculous." he said in a whisper with a hint of irritation. "After all this time, do you think the people around you, Mayura, Manatsu, your classmates and I, are around because of those petty reasons?"
She loosened her hug to let go but Miyuki turned around lowering his head so she was looking at him.
"Don't take us for a fool! I am not the best at reading people but even I can tell how genuine they've been to you! And after all this time, do you still doubt us, me?!
"I don't, I understand everybody's sincerity. But Miyuki-kun, I want you to be able to live more freely, go abroad, do what you want without being bound to me."
"And what if I want to be bound?! What if what I want to do is related to you? What if I found a dream because of you?" Shocked, Izumiko could only look at Miyuki. "Don't think I would ever abandon my own will just because somebody said so." He said while pulling Izumiko in a hug. "I will only ever do what I want to do. Remember that."
Those words struck Izumiko, all this time, she felt like everybody was burdened by her presence, a person who can't do anything but run away and be protected. That's why she wanted to be stronger. She wanted her mom and dad to loosen up a bit, enjoy their time as they should. For Sagara-san to settle a job unrelated to the goddess. For the ascetic monks to not always be on alert looking out for impending dangers. And for Miyuki to pursue his education, if he wants, he can also go to where his mother is and rebuild their relationship. She knew she never asked for any of those, rather, she even hated them but she wanted to free everybody and be more independent.
"You never considered people wanting to stay with you for you, huh?" Miyuki continued very gently. "You didn't choose to be a goddess, whatever everybody is doing is not your fault. Unfortunately, what's going on now has remained for ages. But I would like to stay with you, the Izumiko Suzuhara in front of me, as I am, not the page boy Yukimasa was making me."
This made Izumiko laugh. Right, Miyuki is no page boy, he is … can I say it?
'You know. You have to tell me that you need me. I won't know unless you do.'
"Who is he?! Is he your boyfriend?!"
"- you."
"Wha-? I can't hear it. You have to speak louder, you know."
After a deep breath, she plucked up the courage to look at him straight in the face, holding it with both hands. "Miyuki Sagara! I love you! Would you give me the right to call you my boyfriend?!"
Miyuki's whole body was shaking violently. He fell to the ground. Worried, Izumiko crouched to check on him.
"Mi. yuki.- kun?"
"So …"
"So?"
"So macho!" he bursted out laughing, holding his belly while laying flat on the ground.
"Don't scare me like that!"
After calming himself, he straightened and sat on the ground. "You are really blunt in the wrong places! Of course you can call me your boyfriend! I even thought I'd been your boyfriend since the end of last year." mumbling the last sentence. Seeing Izumiko's shocked expression, he continued. "Don't tell me what happened in the summit meant nothing to you?!"
Izumiko turned beet red remembering what happened. "Of course it meant something! It was my first ki- kiss, after all. But I thought maybe… not … for you?" whispering the last words but he still caught it.
"What?! That's very rude, you know?! You think I'd just go around kissing people?!"
"Maybe not, but I, you know -"
After hearing a sigh, Izumiko couldn't describe what happened. She was pulled towards Miyuki and felt warmth spreading throughout her body from her lips. She knew that feeling, it was the same as that in the summit but, this time, it didn't taste like hot chocolate and marshmallows but coffee and cream.
"This," he said after catching his breath, "isn't something I'd go around doing. It's exclusively for the girl I like."
With their face still just an inch in front of the other, Izumiko followed her instinct and leaned in for another kiss. It was supposed to be a quick peck but Miyuki pulled her head closer, deepening it.
After what felt like forever, they separated. Too embarrassed, Izumiko covered her face with her hands but Miyuki took them. "Never deny me to anyone again. Next time, I don't know what I will do."
"You don't mind if others knew?"
"Why would I? I was never concerned about others in the first place. Besides, there are so many wolves out there, they need to know their place."
"What about the wolves, Miyuki-kun?"
He just smiled and ushered her to stand. This time, she didn't resist his hand and allowed him to hold on hers without tugging even with others around. Now I understand why he doesn't mind being seen holding my hands or alone with me. So, I've been his girlfriend since that time. Izumiko giggled. Miyuki probably noticed since he stopped to look at her.
"When we arrive, I need a lot of explaining to do, right?"
"Yeah and I'm not helping you. You're at fault this time."
"Hmp! Not that I needed help." she playfully pouted.
"That attitude! You want to be punished?!"
"Mayuraaaa! Help me." She ran towards Mayura who had just arrived.
"What happened, Izumiko?"
"Miyuki … "
"She's very lively." Manatsu joined Miyuki who was looking at Izumiko complaining to Mayura.
"She suddenly started acting like a spoiled child."
"Well, girls have that privilege…"
"Shinko, I'm happy for you."
"Thanks."
