Chapter 9: Izumi's… Farewell?
Yanagimoto-sensei and the other two, Kouji and Izumi, arrived at the cabin in about ten minutes. Their cheeks were cold solid, but at least not frostbitten. Izumi was also lucky to not have been frostbitten or have gotten hypothermia. Yanagimoto-sensei rushed them into the cabin, where they found all their classmates, who had worried looks on their faces, and sipping hot mugs of cocoa. It was very pleasant and heavenly to be back where it was warm again. Kouji immediately ran to the fire, as his wet hair began to dry up, and his hair icicles melting and dripping onto the floor. Izumi also ran to the fire, but kept Kouji's sleeping bag on. Their classmates rushed to them, seeing that they were okay.
"Move aside, class. Orimoto and Minamoto had a long two days of freezing to death, so give them some air." Yanagimoto-sensei said, pushing her class.
Asami came up and gave Izumi and Kouji warm mugs to drink from, and a box of tissue.
"Thank you," Izumi said quietly.
"Thanks." Kouji said, then sneezed.
"Everyone, go to bed. I need to talk to these two." Yanagimoto-sensei said, dismissing her class to bed. As soon as she heard the doors close, she said,
"A lot has happened. The whole reason you didn't see us and got lost, and ran into some obstacles is because of Ryusaki Miyamoto. Normally you would have seen your classmates altoghether. Ryusaki changed bases and trails so that you guys would be completely separated from the class. I'm surprised you got through, because you walked the whole rocky terrain. Orimoto, I'm very sorry on how I biased you on where you were from. Don't expect a letter to your parents this week. Minamoto, I'm proud of your bravery. You saved and helped this girl and, that was very admirable of you. I spent today looking for you two, though. You both should get some sleep. Do not worry about this assignment, because you both earned the highest grades," Yanagimoto-sensei said, smiling.
"What happened to Miyamoto?" Izumi asked tiredly, warming her hands around the fire.
"Well, you see, what she did was unacceptable. She tried to eradicate you, for I don't know what reason, probably out of jealousy. She caused that avalanche for you to be half-buried in snow and make you slip through ice. And made fake bases of her own, which is why you two were lost. I know this because Orimoto, you have a good-hearted friend, Ichiyusai Asami. She watched Miyamoto, then told me what was going on. Miyamoto was also stupid herself, leaving her name down on those fake flags."
Izumi smiled and Kouji just listened attentively to what Yanagimoto-sensei was saying.
"So, therefore, Miyamoto is facing expulsion. I sent her back to Jiyuugaoka School. Her parents will personally talk to her and she needs counseling."
Izumi felt a bit guilty and was full of questions. Kouji stared at Izumi and also was confused. Yanagimoto-sensei left and went to her own room. Kouji and Izumi were too tired and cold to move, so they just slept there on the floor, wrapped in blankets. They slept peacefully in front of the fire, and woke up at nine in the morning, the next day. Izumi was first to get up. She saw Kouji sleeping slobbishly on the floor in front of the nearly burnt out fire, without a blanket. Izumi put the blanket she was sleeping with, Kouji's sleeping bag, and covered him with it.
"Thank you, Kouji," she whispered very quietly, and walked to the table.
As Izumi walked to the table, there was a note from Yanagimoto-sensei.
"Orimoto and Minamoto, you don't have to come along today. You're both very tired, so get some rest. The class and I are on our last day of exploring Iwate-san Mountains, then we'll be leaving tomorrow."
"What?" Izumi thought. "Oh well." Izumi walked to the kitchen to find something to eat. At that time, Kouji had just awakened.
Izumi walked back to Kouji. "Are you okay?" she asked.
"I'm fine," Kouji said tiredly.
"You want some breakfast?"
"Yeah, I'm really hungry."
"Yanagimoto-sensei left us food."
Kouji looked around, seeing that no one was there and it was completely quiet. He said a little shocked, "What? The class left without us? We'd better go!"
"Wait, just look at this note the teacher left."
Kouji skimmed through the written note. "All right then."
Izumi sat at the table. Kouji sat across from her. Kouji ate quietly, as Izumi just stared at him. Kouji glanced up and replied, "What?"
"This is a weird scenario." Izumi said, staring into space, hands folded on the table.
"Well, aren't you glad Miyamoto is gone?"
"Yes, but…"
"But, what?"
"Why would anyone be my friend? I have no friends in this class."
"Either do I, so stop your questioning."
"But didn't you hear Yanagimoto-sensei? She said 'I have a good friend, Asami.' Why would Asami help me? She was friends with Miyamoto."
"Well, you never know," Kouji said, with food in his mouth.
"But still, Miyamoto was expelled and —"
"None of that was your fault, Orimoto-san. Was it your choice to make her kill you? No. She decided that, so therefore this is her fault," Kouji said, reassuringly.
Izumi didn't say anything and continued eating. Just then, Yanagimoto-sensei and Asami came in.
"Well, it looks like our trip here is done. The rest of the class will come in soon," Yanagimoto-sensei said. She walked into her room to change.
Asami stood there and didn't know what to say. Izumi looked at her with a suspicious gaze. Asami only walked quietly towards the sofa.
"Why did you help me?" Izumi said silently in the direction of Asami
"Orimoto-san, I—"
"I'm grateful for what you did, but still, Miyamoto was your friend," Izumi said.
"Orimoto, I'm sorry for all the cruel things Miyamoto did, and I apologize on her behalf, although I do not want to be friends with her anymore."
Izumi eyed her with queer thoughts. "Why not, may I ask?"
"She was more of a dictator, and acted like she owned the class. I wanted to be friends with you when you first entered the class, but Miyamoto wouldn't let me. So, I decided to help you now."
Izumi smiled and said gratefully, with her hand on Asami shoulder. "Thank you," and gave Asami a friendship hug. Kouji stood there, quietly, but happily, seeing that Izumi had finally got what she wanted. A true friend. Izumi turned to Kouji and said,
"Thank you, Kouji, for all you have done," she said gratefully, and full of feelings. She got near Kouji, and gave him a hug, arms around his neck. Kouji stood there, like a stick, and shakily put his hand on her shoulder. He then, took a step back, hands in his pockets, and looked at the floor. Izumi walked away and walked off with Asami. Kouji stared at the floor, then looked up. He thought, "Orimoto-san, I'm glad you got what you wanted, true friendship, but I don't know what to say. I miss her."
Kouji looked up. "What is this? I like being alone, yet I'm yearning for Orimoto?" he pondered again. He walked off to the boy's dormitory.
Yanagimoto-sensei walked outside and came out with a camera.
"Oh yes, I forgot to tell you, Orimoto and Minamoto, we're taking class pictures, so get dressed." She left out the door.
"Well, lets get dressed," Izumi said, and headed to the girls dormitory with Asami to change. Kouji heard the door slam, then went to the boys dormitory to change. As soon as he got in, two boys named Okuma Ishiro and Imaizumi Matsuyo. Kouji walked into the bathroom, as soon as he touched the knob, Matsuyo said, "Hey loner, how was it to be stranded with a girl?"
"I respect her. And I'm not a loner," he said, looking at the floor, opened the bathroom door, and slammed it. He listened to Ishiro and Matsuyo's conversation.
"Out of all the guys, why does he get stranded with her? I mean Izumi-san was a loner also, but Kouji is undeserving! He must have been a basket case to have to stay with him for her," Ishiro said.
Kouji leaned against the bathroom door, thought about what Ishiro and Matsuyo, shrugged it off, and put on a new set of snow gear. He left the dormitory quickly and went outside. Izumi was already there, talking with Asami. She seemed to fit in very well, and didn't notice Kouji as he passed by and stood by a tree, hands in his pocket. Kouji thought and felt that he was forgotten and neglected.
"See, this is why I don't help or talk to people. As soon as they see their petty little friends, they just ditch you," he thought, frowning at the snow.
"Why won't Kouji come here? I feel a bit awkward with a lot of people around me." Izumi thought, and knew Kouji was behind her, but didn't turn around.
"Okay, you'd better cooperate, class." Yanagimoto-sensei said, with the camera docked on the tripod. Everyone got into a group, except Kouji, who walked in real slowly and stayed five inches away from the group.
"Kouji-kun, come closer," Izumi said, with a smile "Look, if you're angry because I didn't talk to you, I'm in a funny position. I'm not used to this "all-of-a-sudden" having friends situation, so please believe me, Kouji…" she said, with a bit of sadness into it.
Kouji smiled and walked to Izumi and stood next to her. Izumi put her hand on Kouji's shoulder and smiled for the camera. Kouji turned his head to her, and stared at her, he felt a bit of feelings, then turned to the camera, and smiled, without showing his teeth. Then Kouji put his arm on Izumi's shoulder. She turned her neck, looked at him, admiring him for his bravery in saving her life, and also felt feelings for him, then turned back to the picture, and gave a beautiful smile. Yanagimoto-sensei set the timer click the camera, and ran to the class. Everyone seemed content, and as soon as the class picture was taken, everyone went back to chatting. Some people in the class were surprised to see Kouji actually opening his mouth and talking. Others were surprised to see that Izumi wasn't sulking and hiding in a corner, alone. Nearly the whole class was astonished that Kouji and Izumi were talking to each other. Kouji wanted to tell his feelings to Izumi, but he thought he'd look and feel stupid. Izumi also, but she thought that Kouji would just reject her, seeing how obnoxiously weak she was. It was time to leave Iwate-san Mountains, and the bus driver had put the whole class's luggage away. The bus heading back to Jiyuugaoka was here, and everyone had to leave. This time, Izumi wouldn't have to be bored to death, because she had Asami and Kouji to talk to. This time, Kouji wouldn't be lonely, because Izumi was there. This time, Asami wouldn't be sad and submissive, because Miyamoto was gone now. There was chatter going around about Miyamoto finally being gone from school but it was not a major topic. As soon as nearly the whole class boarded, Yanagimoto-sensei triple-checked that everyone and everything was there.
They were about to leave, as soon as a silver car, followed by an enormous van. It was Izumi's mother and father who came out of the car. Izumi's mother came to talk to Yanagimoto-sensei. They seemed to confide and have a private talk with each other, but it seemed like a serious talk. As soon as they finished, Yanagimoto-sensei called Izumi to come out of the bus. Kouji looked mysteriously at what was going on, and it seemed that he was the only one who had a clue what was going on. The huge van was a moving van, as he's seen a million times from his father's moving a lot routines and he saw luggage in Izumi's parent's car. He walked fast but casually to the front. He checked from the window and saw Izumi, talking to her father, crying softly. He knew it. Izumi had to move. He left the steps of the bus, but Yanagimoto-sensei halted him.
"I'm sorry, Minamoto, but you're going to have to wait."
"What? But I can tell Izumi's leaving, please let me talk to her," Kouji said.
"You'll have to wait till she's done talking to her parents, Minamoto," Yanagimoto-san.
Kouji stood there, impatiently, as soon as Izumi walked in, he jumped up.
"Orimoto…" he said, quietly. Izumi looked up, crying, just like she was at the beginning of this trip to Iwate-san Mountains.
"Kouji, I'm leaving…" Izumi said, so quietly, even Kouji couldn't hear her, but read her lips.