Hikaru is the person I love the most.
It's not surprising, she's my twin. Of course, I'd love her. She's like my other self. But I knew since long ago, that we were completely different individuals. And that's when I loved her all the more. She's the most important person in the world for me. And I'd be damned, if for some reason, Hikaru will be gone.
We've been inseparable since we were infants. Wherever Hikaru went, I followed. She was unusually curious about everything but she gets tired of it real fast. Once she had mastered something, she'd never do it again, only when the occasion requires it. And she was quite a fast learner so the list of things she can do is quite long. One thing she always does though, no matter what she gets her hands on, is to share it with me, learn it together with me. When Hikaru pulls my hand, I know it's time to move on to other things.
I wasn't that sad when our parents died in a fire when we were five. I can't clearly remember what happened anyway. Next thing I know after I blacked out when we fell from the window, Hikaru was sleeping in the hospital bed beside me, squeezing my hand while she cried in her sleep.
That was the first time I ever felt disgust towards my twin. Why was she crying? We're still together, what is she sad about? Who is this weak girl holding my hand? Hikaru is strong, the strongest person I know. She can't betray me like this. I pried my hand out of her grasp without waking her and I slept with my back to her. I didn't want to see such an unacceptable Hikaru.
We were sent to the orphanage the very next day. I immediately learned the downside of losing my parents. We were never surrounded by this many people when our parents were alive. It was just me and Hikaru. We had no friends because we never went out. Mom is almost always sick and Dad has to work, there's no one to take us out to play with other children.
This downside is that Hikaru is a very curious person. She instantly got herself surrounded by other children due to her sunny disposition and natural leadership. When she played with other children, she was considerably happier, compared to when it was just the two of us. She always dragged me, but I always refused, though she'd still drag me anyway. She may be laughing, but all I see is a monster mocking me.
For some reason, Hikaru thought that my vehement refusal to interact with people I do not know is because I'm afraid of strangers. So sometimes when I refuse, she just stays with me, in our own little corner, playing together, reading together. Those were the happiest moments of my childhood. The moments I knew my twin sister Hikaru is with me and not some monster in disguise.
This is Mr. Shinohara. He's wants to adopt the two of you. Isn't that great, you could be together!
Liar. Why don't you just tell me you just wanted to adopt Hikaru? I heard you tell the headmistress so but she won't let you because she thinks I'm too attached to Hikaru. He's just rich so he didn't mind getting an additional one.
Oh! You're my new little sisters! Call me Riko-nee, okay? You're both so cute.
Shut up shut up shut up shut up shut up shut up shut up-
We started living in a big house. Much to my dismay, the amount of people around us, around Hikaru, have not lessened. If anything, people fussed over us more than ever. Especially the girl who thinks she's suddenly our older sister. She's the most annoying out of them all, she never left us alone. I'm just thankful she's gone at school most of the day. After a little bit of acting, which consisted of an emotional breakdown, I goaded Hikaru into convincing our new father to just have us home schooled.
I secured Hikaru for now. My life slowly went back on the track I wanted it to take. Hikaru pulling me along to satisfy her curiosity. It helped that we both got generous allowances, it allowed for Hikaru's curiosities to be delivered to our doorstep instead of going out. Mr. Shinohara has no wife and he was too busy to take us for vacation.
Riko is as annoying as ever, but I tolerate her, because she seemed to be of value to Hikaru no matter how much I try to deny it.
Riko, I'm sorry it took so long. Now we can go back to Japan again, this time for good. Hikaru, Kaoru, I'm sure you'd love it there, the country is simply breathtaking.
As it turned out, it was a different country, but the same arrangement. Riko went to attend a public middle school and we were at home, as always.
Attending the Atobe's party was supposed to be my job, but as usual, I refused. Dad wouldn't have it, so I acted a bit and had Hikaru go in my stead. I love it when she does whatever it takes to protect me. Because it validates my existence. Besides, it's not the first time Hikaru ever took one for me, this had happened before but this is the first time we switched secretly.
What came back was the monster. Something obviously happened at the party. For once, Hikaru did not look bored and sleepy after coming back from a party. Instead, she looked happy as if something piqued her interest. She exuded the same passion she had for the things she had been curious with. I seriously prayed it was just something we could pre-order on the internet and have shipped to the house. As it turns out, it was that fucking young master of the Atobe. I'd kill him the moment he comes within ten meter radius of Hikaru again.
Hikaru is in love. It was the most unforgivable thing in the world for me. Downright outrageous.
I knew I had to do everything I can to ensure that nothing will come out of it. But that wretched Riko just won't stop dragging Hikaru and I outside with her friends from Seigaku. I hated them. Why do they deserve any amount of time from someone like Hikaru? They're just a bunch of idiots. And by hanging out with the Seigaku regulars it got harder and harder to keep my twin to myself. Damn them.
Hah…I'm Marui…and that happens to be mine.
Like I care. But he seemed so easy to manipulate to my means. Maybe I could use him for a bit of experiment. I invited the cherry-haired boy to the villa. Maybe if I flirt with him a bit or act as if I like him, Hikaru would notice and tell me to stay away from him? Or better, snatch me away and threaten him never to come back? Hopefully…
I'm a bit flattered that he thinks I make great cakes but that's all there is to it. Hikaru does that all the time too. Despite looking sharp he's quite easy to fluster too when served his favorite sweets. But Hikaru did not notice us and my experiment failed. Time to think of another way. Thankfully, he went away on his own. Though I asked for his name and e-mail so I could keep him on the side until I have some use for him.
And that damn Atobe boy did show up at the villa. Then I knew something horrible is happening to Hikaru. My dear twin, is actually still interested in the guy? But it's been months! She should have moved on!
Ore-sama is so not going to fall for her! Never!
Great! I actually had peace of mind after grueling over it for weeks since the holiday villa bonanza. I do hope he keeps his word. It's just one week. I hope Hikaru does not do anything stupid.
But on the fourth day she was out, I missed her terribly. But Dad had forbidden me to snatch the time the stupid pairing had together so I can't particularly hang out with Hikaru. Then I remembered that I had a cake made for Hikaru just waiting in the refrigerator. I suddenly had a use for the Marui guy again.
I coaxed Hikaru to go to Rikkaidai with me to bring a cake to the cherry-haired boy. I felt like puking when she teased me about him. I did enjoy the time we had before I had to meet Marui, but not after getting the two of us lost on purpose inside the campus of Rikkaidai so I could have some extra time with her.
Hikaru left me when we found Marui and I was forced to give him the cake I brought. We sat under a tree on a higher ground overlooking the tennis courts. It's the first time I was ever outside without Hikaru on sight.
And then I realized, why the hell did she leave me? Shouldn't she be thinking I'm deathly afraid of strangers that's why I brought her here? Sure, the excuse that she had to go with me was because I said I wanted to overcome my fear a bit at a time, but why the hell did she leave me alone with this guy in a place where I don't know anyone? Goddamit, I shouldn't have thought of this in the first place!
"Oh? So you really didn't want to give me this cake?"
"Of course not. Why would I give a precious cake I made for Hikaru to a useless brat like you, idiot?"
I paused. I gasped. Oh shit! Did I just say that aloud? I turned back to look at him. He was still eating the cake like nothing happened. Maybe we could just pretend—
"You're deathly afraid of strangers? That's a first." he said in between bites of cake. For someone asking me stupid questions, he made it seem like a casual thing. He does not even look surprised.
"Why are you still eating that cake?" I asked in confusion. Surely he must have heard everything I thought I was just thinking aloud in my head. Why isn't he bothered that I'm just using him as bait?
"Well, it's really great. One of the best I had so far. No matter what your reason is, you already gave it to me and I intend to finish it."
I narrowed my eyes at him, he's really weird. "You just practically heard me saying I'm just using you and yet why are you acting like this is normal?" Yeah, why is that?
He just calmly took another slice of the cake, "I figured something must be up when you suddenly talked to me after months of not even a word between us. Two months and out the blue you're suddenly offering me cake? I've learned that presents from girls always come with strings attached. Especially to geniuses like me."
I felt my anger bubble up inside me. The arrogance of this guy! I want to crush him under my foot. But I managed to restrain myself and calmed myself down, "Oh? Too bad. The string is broken. I figured I no longer have any use for you. As you can see, my dear sister has just left me." I stood up and straightened up my skirt. Hikaru must still be around. Maybe I could catch up to her and have her accompany me on the ride home. When I looked at him, he had just about finished eating the whole damn thing. "Don't worry though. I'm not going to bother you anymore."
"Thanks for the cake. It really was delicious." He stood up and stretched. "It would be a pity that I'd never get to eat your cakes again." He grinned at me sheepishly. I frowned at him. You think charming me would make me change my mind, asshole?
Just then, Hikaru came running back to me and my spirits soared. And she was asking me if I'd like to go home with her. I was about to answer her when the impish brat cut me off.
"Do you mind if I walk your sister home, Hikaru-san? Just a little payback for the cake." He said politely.
I was too shocked to completely register what happened in the next few seconds but after a squeal of delight from Hikaru, she agreed quickly, patted me on the back and ran off without me. I snapped out of the shock of losing my time with Hikaru when I heard him chuckle.
I grabbed him by the collar with one hand, "What the fuck do you think you're doing, you son of a bitch?" Must be the first time I ever used expletives outside my mind.
But I was surprised by the look in his eyes that seemed like he's amused and a smirk on his lips. "I never was the type of guy who'd let others use and throw me away that easily." He gently pried my hands off his collar and straightened his shirt after moving a few feet away from me.
I narrowed my eyes at him. For some reason, I think his aura changed. I've got a feeling I underestimated his personality horribly. "W-what are you planning? I swear if you tell, I'd-," I started but the feeling of dread with the way he looked down on me cut me off. I can't seem to fight off the feeling that he could do something bad to me. As in really bad, with the way he looks at me as if he had cornered his prey. It was the first time I was ever on the receiving end of such a look.
"Oh? Someone like you with an unhealthy obsession for their sister, you don't threaten me at all." He snickered at me. "If anyone should feel threatened here, it's not me."
"Are you insinuating something, bastard?" Is he trying to blackmail me?
"Hm?" his expression went back to his normal idiot face, "Am I scaring you? Sorry sorry." He grinned. I just don't get what goes on in his head at all. "I just think we started on the wrong foot. For starters, why don't we be friends?" he held out his hand to me.
Eh? Eh? What the hell is happening? Wasn't he just-Eh? Friends? What for? I thought he was gonna-Ehhhh? I don't freaking understand him at all!
"Wa-wa-what are you saying, idiot? Aren't you angry at me?" Seriously, this guy is creeping me out!
When I didn't hold out my hand, he took it from my side and shook it vigorously, "Nice to meet you, Kaoru-san."
If anything, I think his grin widened and it pierced through my heart. What the hell does he think he's doing touching me all of a sudden? I pulled my hand out of his grasp, "A-are you kidding me? After I demean you, you want to be friends? What's your deal?"
He sighed and tucked his hands inside his pockets, "I guess there's nothing really bad with you and your sister at all, but when you drag other people into your schemes, I doubt your efforts would be highly appreciated."
Eh? Why? Why should you care?
He smiled, "But if every person you hurt turns their back on you, I think the person who'll cry the hardest will be you, Kaoru-san. So feel free to consider me a friend until you sort your feelings out. After all, I think you're the cutest when you smile." He turned and went back to the tennis courts. "Next time you need help, just bring cake and I'd listen to you. See you."
I stood there watching him walk away from me. I brought my hand to my cheeks, it felt hot to touch. I just don't understand that guy at all. Who needs his help anyway?
Hikaru and the damned Atobe's week ended. Hikaru was returned home. I was so glad to see her I hugged her tightly. I'm so happy that Atobe isn't as shallow as I pegged him to be. In my happiness to see her come back to me I did not notice Hikaru crying until she pulled out of my arms and ran after Atobe's car. I kept shouting her name as my heart broke. Hikaru, why him?
She said she still hasn't told him something important yet. So she chased his car and called for him but the fog was so thick she was barely missed by the car after Atobe's.
I felt so hollow inside. I was wrong. Hikaru did not return to me. She will never ever return to me. I've lost my sister to the monster. She never came back. I've been left alone. What to do now? The only person I ever loved in this world has left me. I failed to protect her. I should have protected her. Now she broke herself, what should I do?
Why don't you go see your sister, Kaoru? She needs you.
And what would I see if I go to her? There would just be a banged up monster lying in bed. That's not my sister in there. She's gone. I'll never see her again. You know more than anyone else who the monster really wants to see, damn old man. Why don't you just let them see each other if you seriously wanted her to get better. I want her to die. I want the monster to die. Bring me back Hikaru, the happy person I used to love.
I never went to see her.
Kaoru. I'm sorry, Kaoru.
It was a late afternoon when the monster suddenly walked into my room, crutches and all. And it was crying. It looked so hurt I almost pitied it. Then it hugged me…and muttered apologies over and over again. I found my arms slowly encircling her, almost trying to comfort her and then blasphemy came out of her mouth again. The feelings the monster had bottled up. I heard it all. My arms dropped. I want to run.
I felt disgusted with her again. Like that time we were in the hospital after our parents died. I loved them so much, Kaoru. And now that she almost died. I loved him so much, Kaoru.
Without a word, I pushed her off me. She landed on the floor looking at me with shock and hurt in her eyes. I suddenly choked on my tears and turned away from her, running out the door. She called after me but I ignored her. I don't want to be in this place, but where will I go?
When I stepped out of the estate, I flagged down a taxi and hurried in. The driver won't stop asking me if I'm alright. But my sobs won't let me talk straight. When he got tired of worrying over me, he just asked where I wanted to go. As the taxi moved towards the destination, I wondered why I told him to go to Rikkaidai.
I saw him on the way though, walking home with his teammates. I stopped the taxi.
He was surprised when he saw me approaching him. My tears had not stopped yet.
"Kaoru-san!" he called. His teammates started asking questions but I ignored them. He was the only one I know anyway.
I stopped in front of him. He and his teammates kept asking me what was wrong and why I am crying. I shook my head and tugged at his sleeve. They stopped asking questions after that. I refused to look at anything but the ground. I suddenly felt a pat on my head and a sigh.
"I'd just catch up with you guys." I heard him say to his teammates. There was a wave of 'Be well's, 'Stop crying,miss's and 'Don't take advantage of her, cherry boy's and I waited until I could no longer hear their bickering.
I looked up at Marui. He had an easy smile on his face. "Invoking the friend card already? Where's my cake?" but his tone told me he was just teasing.
"Hikaru." I whispered. But he still heard. His hold on my arm transferred to my hand and he started walking, pulling me along. I did not ask where he's taking me. He did not say anything. I just figured I didn't care as long he's with me.
Ten minutes later we were at a park overlooking a cliff. It was a nice place but it was deserted. We walked to some benches and sat down. He still wasn't saying anything and my tears had stopped flowing.
For some reason, I could not bring myself to look at him. And he did not seem to be looking at me either. He was just slouching on the bench with his hands on his pockets. But the sound of his bubble gum balloon popping every few seconds brought some kind of comfort to me. I clenched my hands in my lap.
The words spilled out of my mouth without stopping. I told him about my life with Hikaru, the feelings I had bottled up that she can't hear about, and about my lies. I have no idea if he followed everything I said but he did not interrupt me to clear anything, not even once. So I told him about the monster who fell in love with the stupid vain kid and the weak girl who came back to my house, all weary and broken. I told him about my disgust, and I told him what I just realized when I pushed the monster away.
"I always expect Hikaru to be there for me when I need her. I always needed her to protect me. But I can't do the same for her. I always run away when she needs me. I can't stand seeing her asking for help because I expect her to always be strong."
His bubble popped.
My voice broke. "I was always afraid that Hikaru will find out what I really am. I was so scared she would leave me behind if she becomes attached to other people. I get angry when she's happy with other people but I can't stand it when she's sad when we're together."
"All along, I thought Hikaru was the monster, but it wasn't her, it never was. It was me. I'm the monster. I'm the one who drove people away. I'm the one who tried to bind Hikaru to me. I'm the one who can't be loved." I told him. I looked in front of me. The sun was just setting down on the horizon casting off a warm glow on the both of us. He popped his bubble again. My tears started flowing again. I choked back a sob. "Despite thinking that she's the person I love the most, she was the person I was hurting the most."
A handkerchief appeared in my lap. I threw it away. "I don't need this. So stop being a gentleman at a time like this." Scorn me. Yell at me. Don't be kind to me. Stop me from dragging you into this.
"I'm not being gentle with you, I'm just being your friend." He said. I looked at him as I wiped my tears.
"Why?" Why are you my friend? Why are you unsettling me like this? Even after knowing that I'm an abomination, why are you still here? Why didn't you turn me away when I ran to you? Why are you so kind to me? Why won't you hate me?
"You need me. That's all." He went to retrieve his handkerchief and stuffed it back into his pocket.
I glared daggers at him and he had the audacity to grin back at me. "Honestly, I never expected you to make good of our agreement…or whatever that is. It doesn't have to be me, though I'm certain you do need one. A friend, that is."
He sat on the ground in front of me and looked me in the eye, gone was his grin, replaced by a sincere smile. "I don't have the confidence to preach what's right or wrong. I'd leave you to determine for yourself whether what you've done is right. But one thing's for sure though, when it turns out you're wrong, you just have to say 'sorry', ne?"
He gave me one last smile before he sat down beside me again, this time, a bit closer we almost touched but I could feel his warmth and it was a comfort to me. I closed my eyes and nodded. We did not say anything until night fell and he walked me home.
I'm sending you to Awaji.
I overhead father say to Hikaru a week later as I was passing by his study. Since I ran out on Hikaru a week ago, I still haven't quite figured out a coherent train of thought. Since then, I avoided her at all cost and Hikaru did not force herself to talk to me either. I got a sound scolding from father and Riko though. I can't remember what they were angry about because it had nothing to do with the problem I did not divulge with them. Marui sent me at least one e-mail every day asking how I'm doing. I never replied, and he never followed up any of his messages so I thought it was just his way of making me remember he's still there.
It was oddly relieving to hear that Hikaru would be gone. At the back of my mind I was disgusted with my attitude towards my sister but at the same time I can't help but feel that a huge weight had just been lifted out of my chest. I thought it would be better. It had to be better. For her, for me, for us.
The monster in me had let her go without a word.
Three days after Hikaru had gone, I went to Rikkaidai just in time for the tennis team's morning practice. I stood beside the tree overlooking the tennis courts where Marui found out who I really am and became my friend. I fiddled with the cake box in my hand and waited for Marui to notice my presence. It took him ten minutes to catch sight of me, finish his match, ask permission from his captain to leave the court and jog up to me and reach for the cake. I handed it to him willingly.
"Yo, Kaoru. How are you doing?" he said, beckoning me to sit down on the grass like him as he devoured the cake I brought him.
I can't help but smile a bit. That's what he'd been texting me these past few days and I haven't answered him even once. "Hikaru left the house. She'd be living in Awaji from now on. I'd be lonely, but I'll be alright. I must be…alright…" Ah. That's weird. I haven't cried about this before, why am I crying now?
I noticed him stop eating the cake and just stare at me silently. "Why? Didn't you like strawberries?" I inquired as I sniffled.
He blinked before pulling out a handkerchief from the pocket of his jersey and gently wiping my eyes and cheeks. "I do. But tears are too much for me to go eating with."
I took the handkerchief from his hand and wiped my own face as I giggled. "I'm not crying. Just finish the damn cake so I could go home."
He waited for me to stop my silent crying before he started eating again though. And he took to staring at my face the whole time too that I could feel the blood rushing to my face from embarrassment. "Did you do it? Talk to your sister, I mean, before she left?" he continued.
I shook my head. "No, I did not. It's fine. I still haven't decided what I want to say, anyway. It would be useless if I talked to her and I end up lying to cover up what I had done."
He wasn't saying anything again so I continued, "Thank you though, for listening to my troubles. It helped me a lot. It's over now. You don't have to force yourself to be my friend anymore." I stood up and dusted my skirt, "Well, that's it. Thank you for your time. I won't hold you here anymore so go back to practice." I gave him one last smile before I walked away. The surprise that registered on his face was priceless.
He didn't call after me or anything. He did not hold me back. He did not say thanks for the food. He did not stay on the spot. I saw him out of the corner of my eye going back to the courts. I muttered a final goodbye he didn't hear as I headed to the waiting car.
"We're going home." I told the driver as he opened the car door for me.
"No. You're not going home." A voice said.
"Huh?" I turned to see Marui catching his breath a few feet away. He wiped the sweat on his forehead. "What are you doing here?"
He approached the driver and told him to go to Awaji. The driver smiled and obliged him. "Move." He told me as he boarded the car. I slid over to the other side to allow him space all the while confused at his actions.
"What the hell are you doing?" I asked.
He grinned at me. "Going to Awaji with you."
"What about your practice?"
"One hundred laps when I get back." He grimaced. "And over the next two days as well."
I can't help but smile. Really, there's no helping this guy. "Idiot."
"Hm? Did you say something?"
"Nothing. I just realized I'm an idiot." The kind of idiot I can't hate.
The drive was four hours long. He fell asleep an hour into it. I watched him lean on the car door as he slept. He looked strained. Must be the practice and the monotonous drone inside the car. I don't know what I'm going to do when I meet Hikaru but knowing he's beside me calmed my frazzled nerves. He's a comfort. I sighed and pulled him so that he's leaning on me. After a few minutes he looked more at ease. I sighed again. "Seriously, what an idiot. To go this far for someone like me, you must be a real idiot." That you'd understand the words I couldn't say. That you'd follow me without me saying anything. That you'd be the one beside me…
I held his hand in mine, "But thank you. Really, thank you."
His grip on my hand tightened. It's like saying 'you're welcome' to me.
A few hours later, we were standing in front of the house Hikaru was currently living in. He nodded at me in encouragement as I pushed the doorbell. Hikaru came out a few minutes later. She seemed surprised to see me.
"Kaoru, I didn't expect you to be here." Hikaru said as she reached for the gate lock. I stopped her.
"No, Hikaru. I-I-," I stammered. What am I going to say? I accidentally looked at her as I was speaking and it left me speechless. It was like the first time I've ever truly looked at Hikaru for a long time. Her eyes were dark, her cheeks were slightly sunk, she was thinner than I remembered her. She seemed so small. So fragile. I felt tears sting my eyes. While Hikaru was going through this, what the hell have I been doing? Where have I been? How selfish could I get?
"Kaoru?" she had a worried look on her face. The gate was low and just reached a little above her waist. She was leaning over it to reach for me.
I covered my mouth as the sobs continued. Hikaru was patting my head, telling me it was alright. I cried harder. NO…Don't be so kind…I don't deserve it…Don't…but I can't pull away from her touch.
Because of embarrassment, I talked with my hands covering my mouth, "All this time, I convinced myself that what I felt was disgust towards you. But it's wasn't that…it's not that…it was just me being a coward. I was afraid…the people you loved, they left you. You, who are so much better than me, were still left behind by the people you loved with all your heart. What then would happen to me? If it was me, what would I do with myself? I'm not strong like you, Hikaru. I'm just not…"
I felt her arms going around me and pulling me closer.
"I thought that if I was the only person you loved and I didn't leave you then you would be happy. I thought that you're the only person I could love because you'd never leave me. I thought that if there were only the two of us then we wouldn't get hurt. But I was wrong Hikaru. What I wished for as the impossible. We can't live on our own. As we grow, we meet other people. We talk with them, we laugh with them. We can't belong to only one person. I realized that and Hikaru…I'm so sorry, Hikaru. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry…"
It was the day where I thought I'd cry my eyes out. Years from now, when I look back at this particular scene in our lives, I would be killing myself laughing at what our faces must have looked like. But the smiles we were then able to give each other and the laughter had never felt so genuine compared to the times before then.
Thirty minutes later, I was in the car with Marui on the way back to Rikkaidai. He could still make it on time for afternoon practice. I apologized for stringing him along and making him miss his classes. He did not ask what else me and Hikaru talked about that he didn't hear because after my apology Hikaru suddenly pulled me into her house. I blushed when I remembered what we talked about then.
That Marui is a nice guy, ne Kaoru?
It suddenly got hot inside the car. I turned the AC to the max. I worked up a sweat and my head feels hot. It must be the summer heat wave. Yeah, that must be it. Marui was already conked out beside me, leaning on the window.
A vein popped in my head as memories of my latest conversation with Hikaru flashed in my head. Let the guy develop a stiff neck. See if I care.
Yes, Hikaru. He is a nice guy.
Like hell I would ever tell him that.
We made it a bit early since there was less traffic so while he slept on I stopped by the cake shop to buy him his sweets. The least I could do for the guy was help him not faint during the laps he incurred because of me. He was awake when I came back to the car with his cakes in tow. I dumped them in the space between us. "That would be enough for you to run all those laps, right?"
He smirked at the small mountain of sweets, "You spoil me, woman."
I dropped him off at the gate of Rikkaidai. I stepped out of the car for a while as he unloaded his pastries from the backseat. I watched him out of the corner of my eye as he closed the door of the car before I heard it go away to park at a more appropriate place.
I went through the plan I had come up with inside the car. Man, it's so embarrassing.
He's been a great help to the both of us. Properly thank him on our behalf, okay, Kaoru?
Damn Hikaru, why do I have to do this alone? Oh screw it, here goes nothing.
"Thank you very much." I said with all the sincerity I could muster. I bowed my head, my hands were firmly placed at my side. I leaned forward a little. I've never really done something like this before because I didn't care much about other people. I don't know if this looks formal enough or if I'm even doing it the right way.
He stepped back a little from surprise, "Eh? Why are you bowing? No need. It was nothing, Kaoru. I'm just glad to help." He said in a slightly panicked voice.
I did not move an inch from my position, "No, it was not just nothing. You helped me hold on to the things I could have let go of if I were on my own. You've shown me kindness even if my behavior did not warrant it. You gave a weak person like me strength when I needed it. You held out your hand to me…to someone like me…your compassion…your friendship…I-I…Thank you…thank you very much…"
I raised my head and straightened my back. "All the things you've done…all the things you've taught me…I will keep them close to my heart…so I'll never ever forget them again. Thank you."
He was a bit awkward but he was grinning from ear to ear. "You don't have to thank me this much…I'm not as good as you think I am." He said with his cheeks slightly red.
I shook my head and I smiled. He stared at me as if he had seen me for the first time before he immediately looked away from me. It must be so awkward.
"I must be going." I said. He looked at me again. I walked over to him until I was only two feet away from him. "Just wait and see. I'll change. I'll show you…" I closed the distance between us and planted a kiss on his cheek. I immediately stepped away and grinned at him, "Until then…I won't see you."
Again, he was surprised but he recovered quickly and just gave me an encouraging smile, "I see. Do your best. I'll be waiting."
I gave him one last smile and a brief awkward hug before I turned and walked away as he picked up his cake boxes.
"See you." Were the last words we said to each other at the same time.
-5 months later-
"Oi~" Jackal said as he approached the red head standing in front of the class lists.
They were now first years in High School, but still in Rikkaidai. All the old regulars also opted to continue High School in Rikkaidai too. Marui found himself in the same class as Yukimura, Sanada, Jackal and Niou. He scanned the whole class list for his section 1-A. He grinned and turned to head to the assigned classrooms to choose a seat before they are called out for morning assembly.
Jackal can't help but notice his friend's high spirits, "What are you so excited about, Marui?"
"Hm? What are you talking about? I'm not excited." the sugar-freak answered nonchalantly.
Marui slid the door to the classroom open and immediately saw what he was looking for. He strode into the back of the classroom and set his bag down at the last row on seat away from the window which was already occupied by a girl. It was his favorite spot but he guessed he could give it to her. She had her head propped on her elbow as she looked outside the window at god knows what.
Marui sat down on his seat. Jackal took the one in front of him and did not bother asking his friend questions again.
"So…it's the first time I see you here." Marui started.
"New student." The girl replied, not bothering to turn and look at him, "Home-schooled."
"I see. Welcome to the jungle then. School is a blast when you let it be."
"Thank you. I'm sure it will be."
"Have you thought about joining a club? It's pretty much mandatory in here."
"A club...the tennis club it is, then."
"Oh? You like tennis?"
"Not really. I think it is fun though. And I really want to understand why someone I know likes it so much."
"That's great. I'd be joining the tennis club too."
"Good luck on that. I heard they're pretty tough in the boys' club."
"Yeah. Any more clubs you'd like to join?"
"I thought about the Home Ec. Club but I'm already good at baking so I doubt I'd learn anything new."
"What a coincidence! I love cakes and all kinds of sweets."
"I see. Maybe I'd make you some cake sometime."
"Please do. By the way, are you free this afternoon?"
The girl turned to him and raised an eyebrow at him, "Oh my…asking me out on the first day of classes?"
Marui flushed, "W-w-what are you talking about? I was just going to ask if you'd like me to show you around the campus since you're new…here." He loosened his tie and cleared his throat.
The girl smiled, "Why don't we just go to that new patisserie at the mall?"
It was Marui's turn to raise an eyebrow, "Oh my…asking me out on the first day of classes?"
"It's research, you moron!" the girl snapped, kicking is chair in the process.
Marui straightened is chair and smirked, "I see. I was pretty sure there should have been a 'date' there somewhere."
A vein popped in the girl's forehead, "It's not a date, it's research!"
Marui shrugged, "Yeah yeah. It's research, alright." He went back to his easy smile, "And while we're at it, why don't we research the movie theaters too? Would you like that?"
The girl buried her face in her hands in embarrassment as she answered "…Yes. Let's go research there too."
Marui poked her hands covering her flushed face. She brought them down but kept her head bowed and looked anywhere but him. "Oi, that would mean we're dating-,"
"Co-researching!" Kaoru snapped again.
Marui sighed in defeat, "Yeah, yeah. If that's what you want to call it but…" he leaned into her until their noses almost touched, "Do co-researchers ever kiss?"
Kaoru couldn't get any redder. He was too close he was suffocating her and making her dizzy. But his face was so close and he smelled so sweet like the things he loved to it. It wouldn't be a bad idea, she thought and she pressed her lips to his then turned her head to the side. "Now they do."
She wanted to punch him so much for laughing so hard afterwards.
-Bonus: Epilogue-
"Wait. How come you're in high school? Aren't you a year younger than me?" Marui asked as they settled themselves in a table outside the new patisserie after they had brought their food.
Kaoru was scrutinizing the cakes they bought, "Yes, I am. That's because I was home-schooled, I guess."
"Oh? Isn't that just like school, without the going to school part?" he asked.
Kaoru took note of the design of the cake she'd be trying to copy later for Marui, "Yes, but even then, we were kind of…went about it a bit different."
"Don't tell me you're actually a genius…"
She frowned at him, "Nothing of the sort, we're just above average. It's just that…you know…because of me…Hikaru and I rarely went out of the house and father was too busy to take us for vacations…so we kind of still had lessons even when 'school' is out…" she took a bite on another new pastry.
"So you've never really taken a vacation? You just sort of studied everyday?"
"Yes. There was nothing else to do anyway…and personally, I kind of liked studying…So I worked hard for the past five months fulfilling requirements for Rikkai High School. It would have been easier though if I just let them put me in third year middle school. Hikaru is a third year middle schooler in Awaji today."
He smirked, "I'm honored that you expended so much time and effort just so you could go to school with me." He teased.
Kaoru turned red and gaped at him, "What are you talking about? I just thought it was a waste of time to go over middle school topics again! I could have been in third year high school if we follow by the subjects I've already learned at home!"
He raised an eyebrow at her, "Then why are you in my class?"
Kaoru pouted, her face still red, "Because the requirements for entering third year are too much of a hassle…besides…I-I…ahm…I like it…where I am now…first year that is…"
"You like it, huh?" he poked her in the forehead again with his finger.
She raised her head to look at him before going back to eating, "Yes. I like it very much."
He chuckled at her, "I like it, too. Very much."
Kaoru felt like she couldn't get any redder. "Idiot."
-FIN-
I just wanted to get this out of my mind…hehe…I like this couple so much…