Hi!  This is the second installment of the arc (there's 3 total). Enjoy!

Disclaimer: RahXephon and its characters are the property of their respective owners.  This piece is not for profitable purposes.

Chapter 19: An Exchange

Right before I leave for school, I get Mishima's gift out of my closet and put it back into the blue bag it was placed in by the cashier when I bought it.  I run out of the house, headed towards the station.  I meet up with Asahina and Mamoru right before the train arrives.  We quickly enter and Asahina sits down with Mamoru and I stand.

"You're both ready for tonight, right?" Mamoru asks.

"I still have to pick out what to wear," Asahina moans.

"Sure, Mamoru."

"Ayato, what's in the bag?"

Oh great, I was afraid this might come up.

"Art supplies."

"Oh, ok," Mamoru answers disinterestedly.

Wow, that worked better than I thought.

When Mishima gets on the train, she doesn't ask any questions about the bag, which is good because I'd already decided that I was going to give her the gift before club when I know Mamoru and Asahina won't be around.  When we get to school, I put the bag in my locker, anxiously anticipating when I'll be giving it to her.

The school day ends, and I'm filled with a mix of excitement and dread. I get up slowly, trying to gather my courage as I do so.  I look around, surprised that I don't see Mishima anywhere.  I walk out into the hallway and wait by the door, maybe she had something to do.

"Kamina-kun!"  I look down the hallway and see Mishima walking towards me.

"Sorry I left so quickly, I went because, I, I went to get something."

"Oh, no problem."

"Actually, you see, I went to get this." I watch as she takes something out of a plastic bag, it seems to be wrapped in Christmas paper.

"This, this is for you, Kamina-kun, that is, if you'd like…" she says, looking away from me.

"Oh, Mishima! Thank you!  I, I have something for you, too."

She looks at me shocked and then grins broadly.

"Really?  Oh, please, let me see it!"

"I just have to get it from my locker. Wait here, and I'll get it, and then we can open our gifts, ok?"

Mishima shakes her head yes vigorously. I walk quickly to my locker and get the gift, excited that she wants to open it, I just hope now that she likes it.

"Here you go, Mishima," I say as I hand her my gift. She smiles broadly as I hand it to her, and quickly inspects it before looking at me again.

"Since I gave you your present first, why don't you open it first?"

"Ok, Mishima."  I carefully remove the wrapping paper, and see that something rectangular is wrapped in bubble wrap.  I wonder what it could be.  I notice that the bubble wrap is taped so that I can open it easily, and I proceed to do so.  As I unseal it, I realize the gift is the picture from the Kyoto vacation.  It's in a silver colored frame and it has words engraved on it. 

On the part of the frame above the picture, it says:

Kyoto 2011-8-10

on the part below the picture, it says:

Kamina Ayato ~ Mishima Haruka

What a wonderful gift.

I quickly look up at Mishima, who has a nervous look, and smile.

"Do, do you like it, Kamina-kun?"

"It's great, Mishima, thank you so much. I'm so glad that you gave this to me."

"I'm glad that you like it, Kamina-kun."

We stare at each other for a bit, but I start to feel embarrassed, so I smile and say, "Why don't you open your gift now, Mishima?"

"Ok!"  I watch as she inspects it some more and compliments me on my choice of wrapping paper, and then opens it.  She takes it out, unfurls it, and holds it in her hands with a look of surprise.  She looks at it carefully, making me a little nervous.

She then looks up at me and says, "Oh, Kamina-kun!  It's beautiful!"

She immediately wraps it around her neck and spins her body around with her arms outstretched, laughing.

She stops and looks at me with a smile.  "How does it look, Kamina-kun?"

"It looks lovely, Mishima," I say as she giggles and blushes.

"Thank you, Kamina-kun," she says as she looks at me happily.

I realize that I haven't asked her yet about her plans for New Year's, this may be an opportunity for me, I'd like to celebrate with her, even it is just as friends.

"Mi…"

"Haruka! Haruka!"  Mishima and I turn to see Narita running down the hallway towards us.

"There you are!  I've looked everywhere! C'mon, you're late and the conductor is angry because you were supposed to discuss a piece with him!"

"Oh no, I forgot! Kamina-kun, I have to hurry, I'll see you tonight?"

"Of course, Mishima, enjoy club."

My chance lost, I decide that I'll ask tonight.

Mishima waves and says, "Thanks, Kamina-kun, I'll see you later then!" 

I watch as she runs off, one end of the scarf flapping up and down as she goes.

Next Chapter

Celebrating Christmas Eve