Two, How to Reunite With old Friends
Aya perked up suddenly as the café's front door's bell jingled loudly. "Nya?"
"Hey, Shia-san!"
Misha's heart skipped a beat when she heard the familiar voice ring throughout the café. She turned around slowly, doing her best to ensure that only her eyes peeked over the top of the booth. Even though she had come this far, even though she knew that she had no choice now but to push forward and to say "hello" to them, she wanted to wait as long as she could. Rushing in to it would be stupid, and she would probably make a fool of herself. Well, even if she took it slowly, she knew that she would make a fool of herself in one way or another, but at least this way she could be mentally prepared for it.
"Good afternoon, Ayanokoji-san," Shia greeted him.
Misha's eyes peered over the top of the seat. Takashi was still standing in the doorway. He had grown his hair out just a little, but that was hardly noticeable in comparison to how much he had grown. The last time that she had seen him, she had looked down at him. Now, she was sure that she would hurt her neck just trying to keep eye-contact with him.
"How are you today?" he continued on with the pleasantries as he stepped into the café.
The others followed after him like some sort of posse. Misha studied each of them carefully, noting the differences in their appearances, and trying to remember what Takashi had told her in his letters.
Hiroshi hadn't changed at all, except that he had grown a few inches. The same went for Kaoru, though of course she had grown in other areas as well. Koboshi had barely grown at all. She had changed her hairstyle though. She'd kicked the cat eats and had gone for a whole new look. It was actually rather cute on her.
Kotarou was the last one to enter the café, and a few moments delayed, at that. But when he entered, and Misha saw him, her heart stopped. She had read about it in his letters, but she had never imagined that his changes were so dramatic. Everything about him was no longer "Kotarou", but rather, "Kotaroh". He had grown his hair out just enough and kept in in the same style, and the way he carried himself, like a puppy that had been kicked around by the world. Even his eyes held that familiar depressed and haunted gaze in them.
"Which one is Ayanokoji-san?" Aya asked. "Ah, I bet he's that cute blonde one, right?"
Misha blinked and sat back down in her seat. She stared at Aya, who stared back at her with wide, curious eyes.
It was too much to take in all at once. Way too much. Even though she was hesitating, she could have handled it all if it was only the others that she was facing. If it was only them, it could have been simpler. She could apologize to them for her abrupt departure and try to start over again.
But it was not that simple. When she saw Kotarou, it was not him that she was seeing. It would have been hard enough to face him, to apologize for not seeing him before--but now, that felt like an impossible task. It would not be Kotarou that she faced now. It would be wrong to go to him and apologize when she couldn't even look at him and see him yet.
Misha lowered her gaze to the table. Why couldn't she just see Kotarou for once?
"I can't…" she said softly.
"Eh? Misha-chan?" Aya questioned. "What's wrong?"
Her hands clenched in her lap. She remained quiet. What was she supposed to say? How could she explain it properly? Though she knew that Aya would most likely understand what she meant, she felt as though saying it aloud would let everyone know what a failure she was.
"I-It's nothing," Misha stammered, forcing a small smile on her lips. "Really! I'm okay!"
"Ehh? Are you sure that you're okay?" Aya questioned. She stared at Misha for a moment longer before she sighed. "Well… If you're fine, then get going."
Misha raised her eyes to meet Aya's. The blue-haired demon laughed softly.
"Something along those lines would be what Aizou-san would say right now, right?"
Misha smiled sheepishly, but nodded in agreement. Aya was absolutely right. Despite her empathic powers, Aizou would have shown her no sympathy for her mixed feelings. She knew what had to be done, she knew how to get it done, so there was no excuse for her not to be stalling.
Unless, of course, there was an actual reason that made her incapable of walking up to them and saying "hello".
Misha glanced over at the front where Takashi and the others had gathered. None of them had noticed that she was there, or if they had, they obviously had not recognized her. That also meant that Shia was keeping quiet and allowing Misha to do this at her own pace. That was a huge relief.
"Misha-chan?"
Aya's gentle call went unanswered as Misha's eyes settled on Kotarou.
There was a definite difference in the Kotarou that she had known three years ago and the one that she was seeing now. He did not laugh, nor did he smile along with the others. He just sat there, dazed, with a blank expression on his face. He seemed dead.
It disturbed her to see him like that.
"Go." This time Aya's voice reached her.
Without looking at her companion Misha pushed herself to her feet. In no way was she prepared for what she was about to do, but she had no other choice now. She had worked hard for, and looked forward to, this very moment. If she lost her nerve now then all of that work would become meaningless.
She could not let that happen.
"A-Ayano… koji-san…" she said, though her voice quickly trailed off to an inaudible murmur.
Still, that was more than enough.
All of them turned to face her. Misha could only give a meek smile in return under the weight of their gazes.
Five pairs of eyes.
Ten eyes in all.
It was useless to think about that. In fact, that was the most useless information to take note of. But at that moment, while they were all staring at her with their curious, probing eyes, it all suddenly felt very important and very overwhelming.
"A-Ayanokoji-san," she stammered out his name. "I… I, um…"
It was no use. It was too hard to find her voice.
Why…?
"Yo, Cutie," he replied casually.
"Do you know her, Ten-kun?" Koboshi said softly, glancing at him.
Takashi grinned at Misha and leaned forward in his seat. "Of course I do."
"Really?" Kaoru spoke up. Her eyes roamed over Misha curiously. She frowned and turned away. "Nice to meet you."
"I, um…" Still unable to find her voice, Misha gave in to the awkward silence and looked down. She wanted to give them all a proper hello. She didn't want to start out as "strangers". Her appearance hadn't even changed that drastically, had it? They all should have recognized her.
"Undoubtedly, that is the voice of an angel," Hiroshi said, quickly breaking the silence. He got up and slowly walked over to her. She was suddenly reminded of one of those low-budget movies, over dramatic and filled with bad actors.
"Misha-san?" he questioned.
Of course he would recognize her. She had practically ignored him in the past, but he continued to worship the ground that she walked on. It only made sense that he recognize her now, even if no one else did.
"Y-Yes?" she replied in a small squeak.
There was a collective gasp from the others. Kaoru visibly flinched, probably choking on the tea that she had just begun to sip at.
"It is you!" Hiroshi exclaimed.
Misha forced herself to smile. She had never been shy and meek before, so why was she now? As nervous as she felt, it was best to stand up and face them. Whatever was in store for her, she would receive it knowing that she had brought it upon herself. So far, it was only surprise. Kotarou had not greeted her yet. She was not expecting that to be a pleasant experience.
"Y-Yeah. Su," she replied. She stopped and bit her lip. She had been trying to leave "su" out of her speech for this. "I mean… Y-Yeah."
"You… You've really changed, Misha-san," Koboshi commented. She still sounded surprised.
Misha took that as a good thing. The longer that they were shocked, the more pleasant this could be. Reality had a nice way of slipping from you when you were shocked. Of course, it usually came rushing back quite quickly.
"Tee hee hee hee…" She rubbed the back of her head. That covered everyone but Kotarou. He was the only one that had not said anything to her yet. "Ah, I guess so."
Why isn't he saying anything?
Takashi stood up. Close up, Misha realized how tall he actually had gotten. It was the angle at which she had been able to see him from that made him look so tall. Yes, he had grown, and was taller than her now, but that was only by an inch or two.
"Misha-chan, welcome home," he said softly. There was something about the look her was giving her, and the soft tone that he used when he spoke, that brought a heavy blush to her face.
She nodded quickly. Her eyes met with his, and a smile formed on her face. "It's good to be back, Takashi-kun."
He extended his hand out to her for a handshake. At least, that was what she thought it would be when she took his hand. To her surprise, he used his grip on her to pull her close to him. His arms surrounded her in a light embraced. Slowly, and blushing deeply, she returned it.
"Ayanokoji! Why are you touching Misha-san?" Hiroshi bellowed.
"They're unusually close." Misha heard Koboshi comment to Kaoru. Kaoru mumbled something in response, and it was probably better that she couldn't catch it.
Misha was the first one to push away, though reluctantly so. Takashi's arms had been strong and warm. She felt safe with them locked around her. She liked the feeling. But, there were other matters to attend to. Aya was still watching over her, and the weight of those crimson eyes were not going unnoticed as Misha stood there.
She hesitantly turned to Kotarou, though one hand remained touching Takashi's upper arm.
"Ko… Hi…" It was hard to decide how to greet him. No, it was easy. She wanted to say 'Kotarou-kun', but that was just what she wanted. He still had said nothing to her. She needed to be as formal as possible with him. "Higuchi-san, it's good to see you again."
For the first time since she had approached them, Kotarou looked away. Quietly, she could barely hear his voice, he replied, "welcome back," before he gathered his books together and stood up. Without another word, he turned and walked away.
Her grip tightened on Takashi's arm. That was hardly a greeting. That was no way to greet someone after you had not seen them in three years. After going through so much with someone, to just leave it at that…
I knew it, she said silently. I knew it. He hates me. Kotarou-kun hates me.
, she said silently.Ignoring Kotarou, or possibly just trying to cheer her up, Takashi said,
"What's up with the formalities, anyways, Misha-chan?"
Misha welcomed the distraction. Her heart ached to watch Kotarou just walk away like that. But there was nothing that she could do to stop him. Not at this point, anyways. And there were always more chances. She would have other chances to see him and to talk to him.
"Kotarou," Koboshi called after him. She jumped up and chased him out of the café. She left her books where they were, probably in hopes to bring him back. Or perhaps not. Maybe she just wanted to see how he was doing.
"Don't let Higuchi get to you, Misha-san," Hiroshi said softly, coming between Takashi and herself. He smiled at her. "He's just like that these days."
"Oh…" She forced a smile, and willed it to reach her eyes. He seemed to accept it, which was good. "Then, I won't let it bother me."
"Misha-chaaaaaan," Aya's whined reached her moments before the aqua-haired teen pounced on her. "You forgot all about me, didn't youu?"
"Aya-chan!" Misha gasped before the both of them toppled to the ground.
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Why…
Kotarou could hardly wait to get out of the café. Staying there was way too much. He had to get out, and away from her.
Why are you…
"Kotarou," Koboshi's voice called after him as he rushed through the door.
He did not look back. He couldn't. If he did, he would see Misha, and he really did not want to see her. He was angry, to the point that he was trembling. Though at the same time, it hurt to see her, and he shook from that. His heart was aching, but it tightened with rage. A million thoughts passed through his mind, but none of it made any sense. He couldn't make any sense out of it. Why was it so confusing?
"Misha-san…"
"Kotarou! Wait!" Koboshi called, starting to sound frustrated.
He stopped. His back was to her, so he couldn't see her face. He was sure that it would be flushed and angry, though. Whenever she got annoyed by something, she always got herself worked up, and her face flushed.
"Kotarou… Kotarou, why did you take off like that?" she asked.
"No reason," he mumbled. Could she hear him? He doubted it, but he really didn't care.
Misha was back. Officially. That was the only thing that he could think of at that moment. For three years, she had been gone. Out of sight, but hardly out of mind. She had always taken over his thoughts. It did not matter what he was doing, he always thought of her. He could remember all of the times they had spent together, and he would smile. But just as easily, the thoughts that reminded him of why she had been there ruined it all for him.
She had never been there for his sake. Never.
"You're lying," she accused.
He couldn't blame her for thinking that. She was right, after all.
"It doesn't matter," he countered.
"Ye s it does," she countered. Her heard her take a step closer. "It matters a lot. Especially to me. I'm your girlfriend, Kotarou!"
"……"
"Kotarou," she called out to him again.
He shook his head and glanced back at her. "It's nothing, Koboshi. You don't need to worry about me over it." He fell quiet for a moment, then looked away. "I was just a little shocked to see her."
Koboshi sighed softly, then broke out into a quiet laugh.
"Yeah, me too. I couldn't believe that was Misha-san," she agreed.
He heard the gravel crunching under her feet as she walked closer. He held still. For some reason, his first instinct was always to run away these days. If anyone came too close, he wanted to push them away. He wanted to push that person as far away from himself as he could, and then hide from them. But Koboshi had always been patient with him. She had always stood there by his side, as close as she could be without making him uncomfortable. Slowly, she had found her way right beside him, and able to hold him.
Koboshi had always been there for him. Unlike Misha.
"Don't let it get to you too much, Kotarou," she said softly, her arms wrapping around his middle.
He nodded. "I know…"
Her face pressed against his back, and he could feel her smile. That brought a small smile to his face.
"Thank you, Koboshi," he said quietly. He lightly rested his hands on Koboshi's. "Thank you."
Why did you have to come back? he silently asked himself. Why, Misha-san, why? Why now?
he silently asked himself.It had been hard enough to get this far. It had been hard enough to let himself open up to someone else, even if they had been friends for most of their lives. Misha was the first person since his mother's death that he had actually let in. She was also the first person to hurt him so deeply. It was cruel.
Why couldn't you just stay away…
Ah, so, how did people like that chapter? Was it worth the wait? I really, truly am sorry... it's the shortest chapter, as well. Ah ha ha... My most sincere apologies. It seems that adding in scenes is giving me more trouble than I thought it would in the beginning. Anyways, there's at least 4 more pages in this chapter than there were in the original. Good enough, eh?
I ask you all to keep on reading. The next chapter will be posted as soon as possible.