Disclaimer: RahXephon and its characters are the property of their respective owners, this piece is not for profitable purposes.
Chapter 25: AsahinaMy alarm goes off, and I notice that it's set earlier than usual, I wonder why as I yawn. I clamp my mouth shut suddenly when I remember the reason. I had decided to spend time choosing a movie to see with Mishima before I go to school. She'd been busy the remainder of the break, so this Saturday is the first opportunity I'll have to go on another date with her. So I don't forget it, I place the latest edition of a movie magazine in my briefcase.
After getting ready, I go downstairs, and see my mother in the family room. "You're up earlier than usual, Ayato."
"Uh, yeah, I guess." The confused look on her face indicates that my excuse was pathetic. Fortunately, she shrugs and walks to the kitchen.
I check to make sure I have everything, and I walk into the kitchen and say, "I'm heading out now, bye."
"Ayato! Aren't you going to have breakfast? There's still time," my mother asks.
"Sorry, Mom, have to get some stuff done at school since it's the first day."
"I see," my mother says, though she doesn't look convinced.
I walk out of the house and start on my way to the station. When I come upon a bench, I look at my watch and note that there's enough time to look over the magazine. I sit down and take it out, and begin my search. After a thorough reading, I am debating between a romance and a comedy, I wonder which Mishima would like more? Out of curiosity, I look at my watch, and realize I'll need to hurry to make the train in time. As I walk, I decide that I'm going to ask her during the break before club. Mamoru and Asahina will be headed off to the tennis club, so I should be able to see her alone.
I make it to the station and greet Mamoru and Asahina, both of whom seem to be in good moods today. The train arrives soon after I arrive and the three of us enter. We all congratulate each other on starting another school year as the train moves from the station.
"Kamina-kun?"
"Yes, Asahina?"
"What's that you're holding?"
I look at my hand and notice that I'm still carrying the magazine, how stupid of me!
"Just a magazine." I say, unable to look at her or Mamoru.
Before I realize, Mamoru has come over and grabbed it.
"Heh, maybe its an 'inappropriate' magazine!" he says. I hear Asahina gasp.
Blushing and noticing I'm getting stares, I shout, "Of course not, Mamoru!" I try to grab it away, but he quickly moves as he looks at it.
"I see, I see, a movie magazine. Now, what would Ayato need this for, I wonder?" Mamoru says while smirking.
Embarrassed and annoyed, I decide not to tell them.
"Nothing! I was just curious, that's all!"
"Yeah, sure, you believe that too, don't you Hiroko?" Mamoru says to Asahina. Strangely, when I look at her, Asahina seems pale and she's looking away from Mamoru and me. I wonder if she's ill, she seemed fine when I first saw her. Mamoru doesn't seem to have noticed, so maybe I'm just imagining it.
I take the opportunity to grab the magazine back from Mamoru and stuff it into my briefcase, I don't want Mishima to see this before I ask her.
We arrive at Mishima's station, and she gets on.
"Good morning, Kamina-kun and everyone."
"Good morning, Mishima."
"Hey, Mishima."
"Hello, Reika."
When I heard Asahina talk this time, she sounded better. Although she looks unhappy, she's no longer pale. I guess maybe it was motion sickness after all.
"Hiroko and I are off to club now, see you, Ayato, Mishima."
"Good bye Hiroko, Torigai-kun!"
"Bye, Mamoru, Asahina."
"Good bye, Reika, Kamina-kun."
After they leave, Mishima comes forward and hugs me. I return it and say, "I'm glad the school year started again so we can spend time together."
"I'm happy, too, Kamina-kun."
She suddenly lets go and says, "Oh, I was supposed to meet Arimi and Yukino before club. I'm sorry, Kamina-kun, I'll see you after club?"
"That's fine, Mishima." We hold hands for a few seconds, and she then runs off. After she leaves, I realize I didn't get a chance to ask her about the movie. I guess it'll have to wait until after club.
As I am about to head to the art room, I suddenly notice Asahina coming towards me.
As she approaches, I ask, "Asahina? Why aren't you with Mamoru?"
"I, I told him I had to get something from my locker and that I'd meet him there."
I don't understand, why would she have lied to Mamoru? No, that can't be it.
"Oh, so you're just saying hi to me as you go on your way, right?"
She looks up, surprised, and she almost looks upset.
"Asahina, is something wrong? I noticed you looked ill earlier on the train ride here, too, I was going to say something, but, by the time we reached Mishima's stop, you seemed fine."
"That's just like you, Kamina-kun, always kind and considerate…" she says as she looks away from me.
"Asahina?" Now I'm really confused.
She turns away from me and rocks slightly on her heels.
"Do you remember the first day of class last year, Kamina-kun? You'd missed the usual train again, you were always one for sleeping in."
"Uh, yeah, I've got to work on that."
"I remember, I was so excited to see you again, after all, we hadn't been together the whole break, and I remember, when I said your name…you said hers."
Asahina turns around and looks at me. "It was then that I realized, she was the one who filled Kamina-kun's heart."
I stand there shocked, Asahina had known for that long? She turns away and starts rocking again.
"Even so, I, I still hoped. I was a fool, wasn't I?"
"Asahina…"
"But, today, when I saw you on the train with the magazine, I had to admit it, admit that my love would never reach you…"
I stand in shock, Asahina loves me? But, that can't be. No, maybe I haven't wanted to admit it to myself because I can't and won't return her feelings. But, still, Mamoru, does he know? Yes, he must, that would explain all the times he was angry when Asahina and I were talking.
"Asahina," I say, as she turns around to look at me, with tears in her eyes and her lips quivering.
"I'm sorry, Asahina, but it's true, I love Mishima, more than anything. And, Asahina, Mamoru feels the same way about you."
Asahina forces a smile and says, "Torigai, I know I've been hurting him all this time, but I can't help my feelings. But, Kamina-kun, I'm resolving today, right now. I want my feelings for Torigai to grow."
I smile at her and say, "I'm glad Asahina, and I know that Mamoru will be happy as well."
Asahina turns away from me again, "Well, that's all I had to say, Kamina-kun." With that, she runs off.
Still thinking about what happened before club, I clean up and put away my brushes after the activity period ends. I meet Mishima near the gate and we hug quickly. I decide I should tell her about what happened with Asahina.
"Mishima?"
She looks up, smiling, and says, "Yes, Kamina-kun?"
"I spoke with Asahina today before club."
I am surprised when Mishima looks away and says sadly, "I see. Hiroko, Hiroko's liked you for a long time, Kamina-kun."
"You knew, Mishima?"
She looks back at me and responds, "Hiroko never told me, but I could always tell by her words and actions. And I was selfish and afraid, thinking that you returned her feelings, since you've always been kind to her."
Mishima hugs me as she continues, "But, of course, Kamina-kun is kind to everyone he cares about."
"Mishima."
She looks up at me and puts her left hand on my left cheek as she smiles. "But, Kamina-kun is kindest to me."
I rest my hand on hers and respond, "Of course, after all, Mishima is the one I love."
We break apart, but hold hands. I realize I haven't asked her yet about the movie, so proceed to do so.
"Mishima, I was wondering if you'd like to go to a movie this Saturday."
She shakes her head vigorously yes and responds, "I'd love to Kamina-kun!"
I smile again as I see her get excited. I feel confident that things will only get better, for Mishima and me, and for Asahina and Mamoru.
Author's Note:In this chapter, Hiroko notes that Ayato missed the "usual train" on the first day of school the previous year. While, in the original formulation of chapter 2, the first time that Ayato sees Hiroko and Mamoru after break is when he enters the classroom, I did not originally specify that this was because he missed the train, so I added a few lines to chapter 2 to make this clear.
Next ChapterA Movie
