Chapter 5 Winter
Miki burst out from the school doors, stretching and taking a deep breath of the fresh air. She had just finished her second last exam and raced to her building. It was two days until the winter holidays and Miki, Meroko and Takuto were going to spend it at Rosewood Hills, the beautiful ski resort.
"Takuto! Taakkuutoo!" Miki shouted, seeing him in the distance. Takuto ran to her.
"Hey!" he said, out of breath.
"Guess what?"
"What?"
"GUESS!" Her eyes shone with anticipation and excitement.
"Um…you…want me to go out with you?" Takuto took an innocent guess. Mitsuki scowled and reddened.
"Takuto please. We're going to Rosewood!" Takuto stared at her blankly.
"What?"
"I signed us up," Mitsuki exclaimed. Takuto looked at her with disbelief.
"W-what?" YES! He hid a smile. Play it cool Takuto. "Sure, if you want."
"Meroko's going to go to, it's going to be so much fun!" She couldn't hide her happiness, and seeing her happy made him happier too. A few seconds afterwards, Meroko passed by them, without acknowledging them.
"Meroko!" Miki said cheerfully. Meroko looked over with an icy stare.
"Oh, hey."
"Guess what?" Miki asked her the same question.
"Seriously Mitsuki, I'm really busy and I don't have time for this. What is it?" she snapped. Mitsuki was taken aback, but ignored it. Takuto's expression changed into concern, ready to defend Mitsuki.
"We're going to Rosewood." Miki smiled brightly.
"We? I'm not going."
"I signed us up Meroko." Meroko's frustration and mounting anger showed clearly as she tried to restrain it.
"Mitsuki, I don't know what you think you're--" she said, her voice rising.
"Come on Meroko, it'll be fun," Takuto interrupted. Meroko looked away, she knew her eyes would give away the bitter sting she felt. Why does he always stand up for her? She swallowed back her emotions and looked forward, into the distance.
"Fine, but next time, please don't," Meroko said coolly, walking towards the school, her hair blowing gracefully back behind her.
"M-Mitsuki," Takuto said cautiously. Mitsuki looked up at him, with a smile.
"It's okay Takuto." Takuto studied her face.
"I'll see you at Rosewood," Mitsuki said, waving. She glanced back and saw Takuto walking away, and then she ran, running past her building. She kept running until she couldn't run any longer. She fell back onto the soft snow, looking up as the snowflakes fell onto her face. She regretted signing up for Rosewood. She wanted to cry so badly. So badly, it hurt. But she couldn't, and she didn't want to show her weak side. She closed the eyes.
"Mitsuki?" Miki sobbed in response.
"Are you okay?" her mom asked kindly. Mitsuki turned and ran to hug her mom.
"Mommy," Miki looked up at her with her teary brown eyes, pouting. "Where's Eichi?" Her mom smiled tenderly down at her, hugging her tightly.
"Oh Miki… don't cry."
"But mommy…"
"You might see him again someday. And you always have your mommy right?" Miki looked up, her mom wiping the tears off her face.
"How about this Miki, if you stop crying we'll go out for ice cream." Mitsuki wiped away the rest of her tears, and nodded, her face beginning to brighten up.
"Boy problems already Mitsuki? You're only seven." her mom sighed and laughed.
"I'm almost eight years old," Mitsuki said, putting a lot of effort into showing her mom eight fingers held up. Her mom picked her up and laughed again. Mitsuki, barely understanding why she was laughing, laughed along.
"I love you Mitsuki."