Episode 40: A Stunning Sight
" Wow! " I exclaimed in awe, staring at the gigantic blimp that was right in front of
me. " It's really huge! "
At long last, we had finally, finally reached Frasia! I could hardly contain my excitement to board the airship.
Just as I was about to take a step forward, I was pulled back by Kurapica.
" What? " I demanded rudely, turning to glare murderously at him.
I did not need anyone to ruin my mood, especially Kurapica even though I knew that he was my childhood friend.
I hated the way he was always using to talk to me. It was as if he was talking to a five-year-old kid who happened to be me, of course.
True, I may not know everything but could he at least talk to me in proper manner?
" That's because I've not bought the tickets, Hikari. "
My eyes widened.
" Eh? "
Kurapica sighed heavily and shook his head.
" What am I going to do with you, Hikari? "
Immediately, I pouted and muttered "Jerk! " under my breath.
And, of course, he heard it.
" I heard that, Hikari! " Kurapica called out from behind his shoulder as he made his way over to the ticket counter in the airport.
" Hmph! " I sniffed, looking obviously miffed. " Not that I care though. He really is a jerk! "
Senritsu only laughed at my reaction.
After a long wait, the seventeen-year-old finally came hurrying back to us.
" What took you so long? " I retorted, impatiently.
" Oh, was it really that long? " Kurapica responded, looking slightly guilty.
My eyes narrowed in suspicion as I placed my hands on my hips, shooting daggers up, at him.
" Just what were you doing inside, in the air-conditioned place while we were standing out here, in the scorching heat? " I pressed deliberately wanting to make him feel even guiltier.
I wanted to pay him back for what he did earlier on.
Kurapica
took one look at me and burst out laughing.
" You don't have
to look at me like that,
Hikari, " he replied grinning. " Actually, I was talking to
someone in the airport while I was waiting in line to purchase the
tickets. "
" And who was that? " I asked, my eyes further narrowed into slits.
He suddenly looked amused.
" Why? What's gotten into you? "
" Who was it, Kurapica-san? " I repeated in a louder voice.
He raised his hands up in defence.
" Hey, hey. Cool down, Hikari. It was only a girl. "
Something close to envy stabbed at me.
" Oh. "
Quickly, I turned way from him before he could say anything more and walked off in a huff, heading directly for the blimp.
The moment our tickets were stamped and approved of, I ran inside.
At that moment, I soon forgot about our little squabble and simply stood there, drinking everything in enthusiastically.
The scenery…
The people…
The decorations…
The soft music playing from some well-hidden loudspeakers…
The diversity of colours…
Everything was so beautiful…
I ran forward and spun around in a wide circle, a big smile plastered on my lips.
" Everything looks so pretty and colourful here! " I gushed happily once Senritsu and Kurapica caught up with me, at the lobby.
Both of them smiled and nodded in agreement.
" So, what should we- " Senritsu was cut off by someone else.
" Hiiiii, Kurapica-kun! "
Kun…?
All three of us turned at the mention of my friend's name.
It was a girl, roughly about my age or little older than me. She had these really gorgeous light brown almond-shaped eyes with shoulder length hair in an even lighter shade of brown which was almost golden brown, which had curls at all the right places. Her eyes made me think of sweet toffee while her hair was like the colour of hash browns.
I felt the same stab of jealousy surge strongly through me as I glared at Kurapica accusingly from behind. I knew he felt it because he became all awkward.
" Uh, h-hi…Leiko, " he responded uncertainly, feeling uncomfortable as he shifted from one foot to another.
So…
That's the 'girl' that he was talking to…
No wonder…
Who wouldn't want to talk to someone as cute as she is…
" Hmph! "
I turned on my heels and began to walk away, leaving him there.
" Hikari! " Senritsu called out from behind me, trying to catch up with my long strides but was apparently failing.
I sighed unhappily and stopped, once I was sure that I was far away from the two of them.
" What happened? " the woman asked me, the moment she caught up with me. " Why did you walk off like that? "
I glanced over at the stupid pretty girl and my childhood friend. The two of them seemed really chummy together. Senritsu followed my gaze.
I heard her sighing so I turned to her expectantly.
" Hikari, you are jealous, aren't you? "
I was taken aback by her sudden question.
Jealous…?
I'm jealous…?
" You must be kidding me, Senritsu! " I retorted, folding my arms and leaning against the wall.
She smiled at me, looking understanding.
" You don't have to hide your feelings from me, my sweet child. It's all here in the rhythm of your heartbeats, Hikari. Even if you lie, your heartbeats always tell me otherwise. "
I pressed my lips together and fiddled with my fingers.
" It's alright to feel this way, Hikari. It's normal for girls, your age. After all, Kurapica has always pampered you with all his attention. You are just not used to him giving his attention to someone else especially if it involves a girl. "
I did not answer her and continued to keep mum but I simply could not meet her eyes.
" Senritsu, what should I do? " I sighed, my hands clenched into fists.
" Simple. All you have to do is to show Kurapica that you are better than she is and act normal, Hikari, for goodness sake! "