07/13/2014

A/N:

Hmmm. Satsuki Shishio has turned his pessimistic attitude around and began to seriously court Suzume again. Your thoughts based on the latest chapter of the manga?

I personally should think, he should at least let her graduate high school before earnestly pursuing her again. I mean, really? Sigh…

Never the less, Satsuki is still a perfect subject for my angst-driven mind. So check out the latest chapter. He's growing a little on me, I guess.

Do check out this manga if you happen to just stumble upon my work. I may be putting some spoilers here, so be warned!

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my ramblings here.

Band aids

"Owww!"

I looked up from where I was sitting inside the teacher's office, red pen hovering over today's quiz papers, partially finished with grading. Classes ended a half hour ago, though students take the remaining two hours to attend on club activities and make-up projects before the school grounds official closes its gates for the day.

"What happened?" Chigara-sensei placed another thick pile of binded reports on top of her table as she bends down to look.

From where I sat, Chigara-sensei's table is a few paces away from mine, and I can see Suzume Yosano putting a finger in her mouth.

"Oh, Suzume, don't be so careless. I have a staple wire remover here. You don't need to use your finger to separate the sheets." My colleague sighed. She normally asks some of her students to help prepare her things and learning materials. And today so happened to be her turn to help out.

Just letting the half hour tick by is a complete waste of time. Even as I tried so hard to concentrate on checking the test papers on hand, I keep on fidgeting in my seat, trying not look at her.

I gave up.

I continued to stare at Suzume's figure. Her back is facing my table. Her uniform looks rumpled and slightly messy. Suzume Yosano is one girl who never cares much about her appearance as long as she is comfortable. Other girls her age wouldn't be caught dead in such a condition. They would always try to be neat and impeccable always. Which is wrong, really. For even if they try to look their best, they are missing out on a lot of things by staying put and avoiding movement that will compromise their carefully prepped looks.

"Go to the clinic and get some band aids to cover the wound. And for heaven's sake! Don't suck on it like a child!" Shaking her head in exasperation, Chigara-sensei pushed the chair she was sitting on and stood up. "I'm going to the ladies' room. Finish the rest and you can go home."

"Sure." Unperturbed by her gentle scolding, Suzume continued to suck on her finger, watching sensei until she was out of the room.

As soon as the door closed behind her, she bend down her head and began to tidy up the papers in front of her, stapling sounds dominating the room.

There was only me and her now occupying the teacher's office. I wonder if she is even aware I'm still inside?

I promised myself I wouldn't touch her again. I promised myself I will only talk to her as a sensei. But this overwhelming sense of wanting to grab her and haul her inside the nearest storage closet rattled my nerves. How very easy would it be to force myself on her and make her cry again?

Shame on you Shishio Makoto.

Without even thinking, my hands automatically went to the second drawer of my desk and pulled out a small box.

The low sound generated by the drawer made Suzume sat up straight. But she did not turned her head like so, instead, finishing her work as fast a she could. I watched her staple several papers in record speed, and the pile on her side began to thin.

So she was aware of me after all. My heart began to pound like a roaring hammer in my ears.

And before I knew it. I was standing behind her in a flash, startling her by my sudden movement, the disturbance in the air lifting a few strands of her hair away from her face, that she dropped the stapler she is holding with a loud clatter.

"Wash your wounds before you go and cover it with these." I said to her, my voice deep and husky. She is so close. I only need to reach out with my hand and I would be able to touch her petal-soft skin again, run a finger on her lower jaw, bend my head to inhale her heady, clean scent.

Suzume Yosana looked up at me, expression blank, her big blue eyes hypnotizing me. She was neither smiling nor frowning and I found myself looking down at her moist lips.

So close and yet so far. A great, big sigh escaped between my lips.

"Thanks." She said in a normal tone of voice. She was not even breathless, nor sounding even squeaky. She acted like she is still in a classroom. My presence did not even made her anxious or flustered!

My face began to warm a little with embarrassment. You fool! I told myself. Don't ruin this for her! Stop confusing her!

I took a step back, intent on leaving her to finish her work. I can smoke outside and let her leave first. It's fairly obvious, at least to myself that I wanted to touch her so very badly. I don't want to give her the impression that I am such a cad for harassing a student.

Still, seeing her up close is good. Maybe tonight, when I go to sleep I will touch her all I want and no one will prevent me.

My jaw tightened, and I pivoted on my heel, only to be caught by her hand reaching out to pull at the sleeve of my polo shirt.

Confused, heart on my mouth, the look of surprise on my face made her blush a bit.

"Can you help me put it on my finger? I am too clumsy when it comes to these." She gestured at the box.

I swallowed slowly. "Sure." I said as nonchalantly as I could; yet my fingers trembled slightly. My insides going haywire. I feel like my heart is about to burst out of my chest.

I quickly grabbed the bottle of antiseptic and cottons balls that I have inside my personal medicine box. I'm the type who likes to be prepared, despite this school having a standard clinic to handle small emergency cases students get themselves into.

Quickly dousing the cotton ball with the antiseptic liquid, I took the hand she held out, noting the small scratch and deep puncture the stainless steel wire made on her finger. I tried to savor the feeling of our skin-to-skin contact. It's been a long time since I held her slender hand.

"This won't sting." I told her reassuringly, as I began to wipe the wound and cleaned it. She sucked out most of the blood, but there are still some oozing out from the wound.

Finally satisfied that I cleaned it as best as I could, I threw the used cotton ball on the trash bin beside Chigara-sensei's desk. Opening the box of band aids I dropped in front of her, I peeled off the wrapper and began to position it on her finger.

It was then that I finally notice her hand is trembling a little as well. Stunned by this discovery, I averted my gaze on the wound. My eyes caught her eyes.

And for that short second, I was taken back to the time I first realized how much I really, really like her.

I gulped, my ears reddening with warmth. Suzume Yosano's eyes are so blue, they seemed to glow with inner fire. Will she slap me if I suddenly bend down to kiss her softly on the lips?

No, no, no!

I blinked, and the spell was suddenly broken. My fingers finished taping the band aid to cover the wound.

I held her hand for a moment. Only for a moment, and then I felt it slipped away from my grip.

"Thank you, Shishio-sensei." She said in a soft voice, standing up and breezing past me, leaving a tiny trail of lily-scent perfume. Her hair floated about her shoulders. And as she glided away towards the door, opening it gently and closing it behind her, she never once looked back at me.

I stood there for quite some time, wondering for nth time, why the hell I let her go.

A/N: Let me know what you think.