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Chapter 2: The First Day of Classes

It's been two weeks, and it's seemed like forever. I'll finally get to see Mishima again.

As is not uncommon, I slept in, so I missed the train that Mamoru, Asahina, and I had planned to go on together to school.  So, I came by myself on a later train, and am now stuck wandering the halls alone, looking for our classroom. Let's see, 2-3, 2-4, hmm, maybe down this hallway. Ah, 1-3.  It looks like every other classroom I've been in, but the view outside is nice of the flower garden off in the distance.  Hmm, where's Mishima?

"Kamina-kunnn!" a female voice rang out from behind me.

"Mishima?"

"Kamina-kun?!  Sheesh, how could you not recognize my voice!  Asahina, Asahina Hiroko! Who is this Mishima, hmm?" she complains as she comes up from behind me.

"Uhh, Asahina, I'm sorry, I just..." I say, embarrassed.

She comes up to me and leans her face into me, giving me an angry and suspicious look.

"Hmm, maybe she's Kamina-kun's girlfriend!" I'm caught off by her remark, and step backwards from her.

I'm about to say something when Mamoru, who is glaring at Asahina, says "Hiroko, stop that, you're embarrassing him." Asahina turns around to glare at Mamoru.

"Ah, you're mean Torigai, I was just having fun."

I think this is a good time to change the subject.

"Mamoru, how are you? Did you have a good break?"

Mamoru moves towards Asahina and puts his arm around her shoulder when he answers, "Yeah, Ayato, Hiroko and I had some private time, heh."

I'm not sure I wanted to hear that.

Asahina gives Mamoru a disgusted look and frees herself from his arm. "Torigai, you liar! I was visiting relatives in Nagasaki!"

Mamoru smiles at Asahina.  "I was just kidding, Hiroko, don't be so serious.  By the way, Ayato, where were you this morning? You missed our train."

I put my hand behind my head, "Yeah, I slept in, I even had to run to make the last train."

I watch as Asahina shakes her head.

As she waves her finger at me, she says, "Ah, Kamina-kun, you're still doing that?  We're junior high school students now!"

I look away, embarrassed, and say, "Yeah, you're right."

Asahina shrugs and she and Mamoru return to their respective desks and talk, while I remain standing, looking expectantly at the door for Mishima.

Maybe I misheard Mishima, maybe she doesn't go to this school after all…

"Ayato!  Ayato! Earth to Ayato!"

I turn back to Mamoru and Asahina and respond, "Huh?  Oh, sorry, what were you saying?"

"Hmpf, I bet Kamina-kun's too pre-occupied with something, or someone, else to listen to our plans!"

"Oi, oi, Hiroko.  Ayato, I was saying we should all go see a movie this weekend.  Sound good?"

"Well, I don't know, I'd sort of be the third wheel…"

"No, no, Kamina-kun!"

"Nah, we should all go, Ayato."

"Well…"

"Kamina-kun?"

I turn around, afraid that it might not be whom I think it is.

"Mishima!"

"Kamina-kun," I see her radiant smile, and smile in response.  I can feel Asahina's eyes boring into my back. I turn around and see her moving quickly over to us.

"So, this must be Mishima-sama."

How could she say that!  What will Mishima think of me now?

Mamoru angrily interjects, "Hiroko, stop embarrassing Ayato."

Surprisingly, Mishima seems to recover quickly and says, "How do you do, my name is Mishima Haruka."

Mamoru gets out of his seat and says as he walks over, "I'm Torigai Mamoru, nice to meet you.  Ah, Mishima.  I don't know if you heard us, but we were discussing going to a movie.  Ayato here thinks he'd be a 'third wheel', so maybe you'd care to join us?"

"Mamoru!" "Yes, I think that would be fun."

What?  She agreed? 

"Class, it's time to get started, please choose a desk."

"Kamina-kun?"

"Yes, Mishima?"

"Would you mind if I sit next to you?"

"No, no, of course not!"

How, nice, I'll be able to sit next to Mishima all year. I just hope that she's not doing this because I'm the only one she knows.

"And so, if you'll turn to page 45 in your textbook…"

This is so boring, I can't wait for lunch. Hmm, Mishima is in a nice pose for a sketch, I think I'll do that instead of taking notes.  She noticed again, but at least she's smiling as she watches.

"Finally, it's lunch, that math teacher's real boring, eh, Ayato?"

"Uh, yeah." I said, though I am distracted, watching Mishima get out her lunch.

"Mi.."  "Let's go Kamina-kun.  Remember, you promised you'd go out to lunch with me and Torigai today!"  Why did I make that promise! 

"Oh, yeah, let me just get my wallet." I get my wallet out of my desk and notice Mishima.

"Well, I'll see you later, Mishima." I say as I look at her, but she's staring out the window at the flower garden, and I can't see the expression on her face.

"Oh, ok." 

"Hey, Haruka, we're back!"
"Hello, Hiroko. Did you have a nice lunch?"

"Ah, it was delicious!"

"I see."

"Mishima, I…" She doesn't even notice me as I speak.

"Torigai-kun?"

"Yeah, Mishima?"

"I realized I don't think I'll be able to go this Saturday after all, I'm sorry."

"Is that so?  Well, you're welcome to come if you can."

"Thank you."

She's not coming now?  I knew I shouldn't have gone.

I've been sitting next to her for the rest of the day, and she hasn't looked my way once, she's been looking elsewhere, always with a sad look.

"That's all for today, students.  I recommend that you start your essay soon.  Good bye."

"Good bye, everyone." I hear Mishima say as she hurries out of the room.

She's leaving, I have to stop her.

"Mishima! Mishima!"

"Yes, Kamina-kun?"

"Please, come with me?"

"Eh?"

"Please?"

"All right."  She's agreeing, but she looks really upset.

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see," I say with a smile.  She gives me a puzzled look, but a small smile creeps up.

Next Chapter

In the Flower Garden