Disclaimer: RahXephon and its characters are the property of their respective owners. This piece is not for profitable purposes.
Chapter 39: Winter - Part II glance out the window, half expecting to see a multitude of snowflakes falling from the sky. I had thought this may happen after this morning, when I watched the weather report while eating breakfast. I am startled when I feel something hit my shoulder. I look and see a folded piece of paper. I turn my glance towards Mishima's direction and she smiles at me. Deciding the note must be from her, I try my best to casually place my hand over it and bring it down into my lap. I first watch to see if the teacher is looking before opening it to read.
'Kamina-kun, do you think it's going to snow today? I hope so. Don't forget our plans for Sunday!'
I carefully and watchfully take my pencil from the top of my desk and write next to her message.
'I'd like that, too, Mishima. Of course, I'd never forget something so important, I'm looking forward to it.'
I am surprised when she reaches her hand out towards mine, and, following her lead, I pass the note, undetected by the teacher. She secretly but excitedly opens the note, and, out of the corner of my eye, I see her blush and smile as she reads my response. A few moments pass, and my sight returns to the window, where I can now see the snowflakes that we had hoped to see.
Having escaped my home with an excuse of meeting Mamoru and Asahina, I make my way through the snow. Although far from blizzard conditions, enough snow had fallen to blanket the ground and more than cover the grass in the yards. I am not always steady in the snow and the ice that has come with it, so I walk more slowly than usual, but am ready to quicken my pace if I feel I need to prevent from being late. She had wanted to plan this day, so I am interested to see what she has decided. When I arrive at our meeting place, she is already there, the scarf that I gave her for Christmas last year wrapped around her neck, her cheeks pink, and her breath creating curls of white near her face. She sees me approaching, and waves, her broad smile showing.
I walk so that I am standing before her and smile as I say, "Hello, Mishima."
She entwines her left arm in my right and says, "Hello, Kamina-kun!"
Grinning, I say, "I'm curious what you have planned for today."
She giggles and says, "That's a secret."
I laugh and say, "All right. You lead the way, then."
"Ok!"
We walk a few blocks until we reach a park with a pond. As we come closer, I see people ice skating on the pond, and realize what we will be doing first.
She looks to me and says, "I've never been skating with Kamina-kun, and, since the weather turned out well, I wanted to try."
Embarrassed, I put my left hand behind my head and say, "I – I've never actually skated before – but I'm willing to try."
She waves with her right hand and says, "No need to worry, I'll be there for you."
I smile as I look to her and say, "Thanks, Mishima."
She nods her head yes vigorously and increases her speed, so I follow her lead.
We walk to the stand where they are renting skates and pick out our sizes.
I reach for my wallet, but hear Mishima say, "I'll get this today, Kamina-kun."
"Are you sure, Mishima, I don't mind."
"It's all right, I'm treating you today."
"Thank you, then, Mishima."
"No problem!"
After she has paid, we take our skates and sit on a bench next to each other. After we remove our shoes, we place the skates on and begin to lace them up.
"You have to make sure the skates are snug on your foot, Kamina-kun."
"Oh, ok, thanks."
I tighten and tie the laces. When I'm finished, I look to Mishima and see that she is ready as well.
"Are you all set?" she asks.
I nod my head yes and attempt to stand. Unsteadily, I approach the pond and carefully place my skates on the ice. I wobble, feeling myself lose balance, but am steadied when Mishima skates around to face me and takes hold of both my hands.
My face red from a combination of the cold and my embarrassment, I look to her and say, "Thank you, Mishima."
"Sure, Kamina-kun," she answers with a smile.
"Let's take it easy at first," she suggests.
"Sounds great to me," I answer.
