Disclaimer: RahXephon and its characters are the property of their respectful owners. This piece is not for profitable purposes.
Chapter 10: An Unexpected Visitor
Lying in bed, I hear my parents leave the house. Yawning, I look at the clock and realize I need to get out of bed or I'll be late to school. I throw off the covers and quickly make my bed. As I am about to start brushing my teeth, I suddenly hear the doorbell ringing. It's so early, I wonder who could it be? I am about to ignore it and let my parents get it, when I remember that they've both gone already. Great, that means I have to get it, and I'm still in my pajamas!
I put down my toothbrush and walk quickly to the door. As I walk, I wonder who it is that's here. I guess it's possible that it's Mamoru, come to pay his share of the karaoke, nah, who am I kidding?
I go to the door and open it as I yawn and wipe my eyes. I freeze as I see who's there. Mishima! Here, now, when I look like this! How embarrassing!
"Mi, Mishima!"
She looks at me and smiles.
"Good morning, Kamina-kun."
"Mishima! What are you doing here?"
I realize immediately after I say this that it probably didn't sound right. I notice that Mishima's expression has suddenly changed from happiness and anticipation to embarrassment, and possibly disappointment.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude, I, I can leave…"
"No, no, that's not what I meant, I was just worried something was wrong."
My efforts seemed to have worked, because her facial expression has relaxed somewhat.
"I, I came here to give you something. I'm, I'm sorry if you don't like it, I'm not very good at it, you see, so I understand if…"
"No, no, please come in."
She steps into the room quietly and I close the door behind her. I'm blushing furiously because of my haggard appearance. She looks somewhat embarrassed herself and doesn't move or say anything.
Deciding to break the silence, I ask "Can I see it?"
She looks up suddenly from the floor, which she had previously been studying intently.
"See what?"
"What you brought."
"Oh, yes, well, here."
She pulls out from behind her back an old-fashioned hat box with painted sakura blossoms on it, and covered in a matching ribbon. I open it, and to my surprise, see a variety of types of cookies, all of which are shaped as letters that make up the English characters for my name. I am genuinely shocked, no one has ever done something like this for me before.
"Mishima!"
I am surprised to see that her face suddenly looks downcast and she seems upset. That must have come out wrong too, I'm messing up everything I say today!
She looks away from me and says, "You, you don't like it do you…"
"No! It's a wonderful gift, thank you so much!" It definitely is. I've never liked a gift more, because this one came from Mishima.
She lifts her head and brightens noticeably.
"Really, Kamina-kun? That's great."
With a large smile on my face, I pick up one of the As, and pop it in my mouth. It really does taste great.
"Delicious, Mishima!"
She blushes and says "Thank you," quietly.
We both stare at each other for a moment, but I realize I'm probably making her uncomfortable, so I look away from her and decide to say something.
"What, what time is it, Mishima?"
She looks at her watch and says, "Hmm, you'll need to leave within 10 minutes to get the last train to arrive in school on time."
I almost drop the box of cookies I'm so surprised, I didn't realize it was that late!
"10 minutes!? I'm sorry, Mishima, but I need to finish getting ready."
"Oh, I was going to leave now, anyway, I have some things to take care of at school."
"Thank you again, Mishima."
"Of course, I'm so glad you like the gift."
I realize that I haven't asked her something important.
"Oh, wait, Mishima!"
She stops in mid-stride as she was closing the front door.
"Yes, Kamina-kun?"
"I wanted to ask you when your birthday is, I realize I didn't know, I'm sorry."
"Don't worry about it, Kamina-kun. Actually, my birthday already passed."
Disappointed, I say, "Oh, I missed it."
She shakes her head and says, "No, no, it was before the school year even started. Actually, it, it was the day we met."
I am genuinely surprised by this fact, I had no idea. "Really?"
"Yes, the reason I had to go was because I was supposed to be home for a phone call from my parents."
"I see, well, thanks for letting me know, Mishima."
"Sure, Kamina-kun."
"I'll see you in school then, Mishima?"
"Sure, Kamina-kun!"
As Mishima leaves, I hurry back to my room to put on my uniform. I decide that even though her birthday is passed, I should definitely give her something. I think about it as I get my briefcase ready, and smile as I realize what gift I think she would really enjoy.
Satisfied, I move the cookie box from my bed to my desk, and take the letter M for breakfast as I run out the door.
Next Chapter
Asahina's Idea
