Summer's Promise
Chapter 16: "You can call me by my first name."
Along with the new year came the last term of Luka's first year at a new school. The pink-haired teen walked to school quietly, still thinking about the fun memories she had made with Gakupo and Miku over the winter break. She couldn't help but smile when the purple-haired boy's face popped up in her head.
"Nee-chan! Luka-nee-chan!"
Luka hopped off cloud nine, eyes startled.
"W-what is it?" Luka turned to Rin, her face blushing.
"Mou, were you even listening?" Rin pouted.
"Obviously not. Look at her," Len commented, fully aware of what his older sister's face looked like without even checking.
"S-sorry. What were you talking about?" Luka's thoughts were completely disheveled as she began to focus on her younger sister.
"Len and I are going to have to leave home earlier starting next week. We just remembered that our club activities are going to be more active this next few months because of competitions," the blonde-haired girl informed her older sister.
"Oh, alright. You two need to be—" Luka was interrupted when Rin and Len joined their friends.
Before she even knew it, they had already reached the twins' school. Luka looked out beyond the middle school's gates, watching her younger siblings. The smiles on their faces reassured Luka. She was glad that Rin and Len were fitting in well.
With a sigh, Luka kept walking by herself. She tucked her mouth underneath her thick muffler, keeping them warm. A breeze blew by and Luka clenched onto her bag. The white gloves warmed her hands and clenching them seemed to keep the heat to themselves.
Her mind didn't stay blank for long. Luka's head was once again occupied with Gakupo's face. Her blue eyes looked far, confused as to why she couldn't keep him out of her mind. Has she always thought about her other friends as often as she thought about Gakupo? What was so special about the boy, anyways?
After crossing the road, more students that wore Luka's uniform surrounded the pink-haired girl. She was getting closer to her school and her body was aware of it even though she was still daydreaming.
"Good morning, Megurine-san," people greeted as she passed the gates.
"Good morning," she greeted back with a kind smile on her face.
After passing most of the people, Luka reached her shoe locker where she paused and placed a hand on her heart.
"Calm down, me! It's okay," she thought, her face warm and red from all the attention she received and replies she gave away.
Luka looked forward to a quiet morning. She thought that people had forgotten about her over the break, but it was clearly a mistake. Everyone was excited to see each other after their brief vacation. Of course, the boys were eager to see Luka, who they didn't have the chance to be with when they were off school.
"Good morning, Megurine-san," Gumi greeted before she went ahead to her own shoe locker.
"Oh, Nakajima-san, good morning," Luka properly bowed, still nervous.
More boys and girls began to surround the area to see the two beauties interact with each other. Luka and Gumi, placed in separate classes, barely had the time to converse with each other. It was rare that they were in the same area for quite a period of time, even in the mornings. Gumi always came to school earlier than everyone to practice the naginata in their club room. Luka would come at the same time most of the students would come. So, surely, the others thought that the two girls' interaction was a sight to see to start off the new term.
"How was your break?" Gumi asked, opening her shoe locker.
"It was good. Gakupo-kun showed me around the shopping district and we visited Miku-chan when she got sick," Luka replied while simultaneously trying to keep eye contact and put on her uwabaki.
"Wait…I'm not stuttering? B-but I'm talking to Nakajima-san?!" Luka panicked in her head.
She paused after placing her street shoes in her locker, leaving the cubbyhole halfway open. Gumi worked faster and had already finished putting on her uwabaki even though she came later than Luka.
"I'm glad you've become comfortable enough to call Gakupo by his first name," Gumi smiled and pointed out a detail that Luka had missed.
"Eh?" Luka quietly sounded, a bit surprised that she didn't catch it early enough to stop herself.
The pink-haired girl had gotten used to calling her male friend by his first name in her head. She felt a bit more relaxed with Gumi that Luka had forgotten to watch her words. Knowing how the school worked, Luka already noticed that people were beginning to whisper about the trio.
The lime-haired girl walked to Luka, her smile charming, her walk composed. Gumi gently placed a hand on Luka's arm while keeping eye contact. Luka learned that Gumi was used to so much attention that she was not at all fazed by the murmurs.
"Please, call me 'Gumi' from now on, too. I'd like for us to become better friends before the school year ends."
The surroundings got quiet. Luka didn't know what to say, her eyes getting a bit watery from keeping them open in shock. Everyone waited for Luka's reply. The pink-haired girl was now more aware of how much attention they had gathered.
"I…you can call me 'Luka,' G-Gumi-chan," the pink-haired girl finally voiced out an answer.
The circle of people that had formed were rowdy once again. Rumors were already being spread and the day hadn't even started yet.
"Then, I'll see you later, Luka-chan."
Gumi gave away a cheerful smile before she walked away from Luka. A second later, the green-haired girl was already followed around by other boys and girls who admired her.
Luka, who stood by herself in front of the lockers, still couldn't believe what had happened. The peaceful morning—the peaceful year—she had hoped for was clearly not starting off well. After all, she had just fed herself as the subject to the new year's rumors. She was also still surprised by the fact that she had called Gakupo by his first name.
"I…I'll just…he didn't hear it," she quietly tried to convince herself as she shut the door of her shoe locker.
"Y-yeah! He didn't hear it! I'll just call him by his last name…like usual! That's right…I'll just keep calling him Kamu—"
"Ga-ku-po."
Luka froze to hear a familiar voice behind her. Her mind told her not to turn around, but her body didn't listen. Luka found herself standing in front of Gakupo Kamui, who towered over her.
"I heard you call me 'Gakupo,' you know," he smiled, tapping his toes on the floor.
"I…I didn't mean to! I'm sorry Kamu—"
"Ga-ku-po," the purple-haired boy kept correcting.
"There's really no more use trying to call me by my last name."
Luka found herself trembling, not in a bad way, but a good way. She couldn't explain it to herself, but the way she shook wasn't something she didn't want. She was fine; still confused, but fine.
Gakupo had a smile that spread from ear to ear. He patted Luka's head, staring at her red face. She closed her eyes to feel the warmth and gentleness of Gakupo's hand. A bit shocked of what he was seeing, Gakupo began to giggle when he realized that Luka looked just like a tiny kitten.
"Neko-chan, don't fall asleep now," he teased.
Luka quickly opened her eyes and pouted. She stormed away from Gakupo, who chased her right away.
"I was kidding, Luka-chan," Gakupo laughed.
The heart that rested underneath Luka's chest skipped a beat to Gakupo's calling out her first name. Growing up in the States, Luka was completely alright with people calling her by her first name. However, somehow, hearing Gakupo say 'Luka' made the the girl's heart throb.
The two walked up the stairs, passing the people that looked at them. Gakupo had already blocked out the other students' attentions, but Luka was still trying to escape them.
"S-sorry I like getting petted on the head," Luka quietly said, with flushed cheeks, as she shrunk her shoulders in like a turtle hiding in its shell.
"Y-you do?" learning something new about Luka, Gakupo was more interested.
"Don't you?" Luka innocently asked with her blue eyes looking up at Gakupo as they shimmered.
"Well—"
Time felt slow as Gakupo watched Luka walk up two more steps up the stairs to pass him. He paused, waiting for what Luka was going to do. Then, her eyes met his once again, but this time, she loomed over him.
"See?" Luka charmingly smiled as she placed a hand on Gakupo's head.
She gently moved it around, tousling his soft violet shaggy hair. She maintained connection with Gakupo by looking at his eyes. Luka didn't seem to feel anything but calmness as she felt Gakupo's fine hair between her fingers.
With a slightly open mouth, Gakupo was speechless. Girls had always admired Gakupo, even including his hair. When girls want to touch his hair, he would either bow so that they can reach for his hair or they'd touch his hair when he would sit down. Most of the girls' motives to touch him were solely because they wanted to show off to their friends.
This time, it was different. Gakupo had never met anyone so spontaneous, yet only bearing innocent intentions as to give someone a pat on the head, like Luka. Gakupo was in awe. He was completely mesmerized by such a short gesture that he didn't know what to say.
He slowly raised his hand. Gakupo had the urge to hug the girl in front of him.
"Lu—" Gakupo stopped himself, remembering his conversation with Miku.
Gakupo recalled the serious blue eyes that Miku had when she pointed out that Luka was different. Miku knew exactly what she was saying. Gakupo understood. Luka was important to them. Therefore, whatever he had been feeling, or had begun to feel during that moment, needed to disappear.
The bell rang loudly, warning students to get to their class. It echoed everywhere, interrupting the tranquil moment that Luka and Gakupo shared.
"Let's go," Gakupo quickly walked up the stairs with Luka, brushing off everything.
Luka was focused on getting to her classroom on time that she didn't even reflect on what she had done. She was aware that she felt embarrassed. After all, her face was boiling like a kettle. Luka couldn't think straight as they walked faster up the stairs to the third floor.
"I'll see you later," Gakupo smiled as he took Luka to her classroom.
"Alright," the pink-haired girl waved her hand as Gakupo walked next door to his classroom.
As soon as she turned around, her eyes met the gaze of everyone's in the room. Luka was sure that her fellow classmates had been chatting when she arrived. For some reason though, they were now so silent that she knew her heartbeat echoed in the room.
"G-good morning, everyone," she greeted with a bow.
Before she could even reach her seat, Luka was surrounded by most of the girls and boys in her class. They shoved each other around and crowded together, bombarding Luka with questions she didn't want to or couldn't answer.
"When did you and Kamui get so close?"
"Are you and Nakajima-san rivals?"
"Did Gakupo-kun choose you over Gumi-chan?"
The wobbly pink-haired girl tightened her grip around her bag's handles, shutting her eyes and raising her shoulder as if what she was doing was going to block their voices out. Miku stood by the windows with disappointment painted on her face. The teal-haired girl had already warned Gakupo. Based on what she was watching, Gakupo had not followed her request.
Miku was so upset that she couldn't act. She wanted to help Luka out, but her frustration would only cause more problems. The twin-tailed girl was certain that Miki, Ia, and Lily were arriving soon. So, she sat down and closed her eyes, waiting for the other girls to help Luka out when they come in. Much to Miku's surprise though, a student from another class came to Luka's rescue, instead.
"Megurine-san, can I talk to you outside before class starts? It won't take long."
The familiar voice made Miku look up with widened eyes.
By the room's entrance was Kaito.
Silence filled the classroom. The other students opened up the circle to reveal the shuddering Luka in the center to Kaito.
"Megurine-san!"
Shocked to see Luka in such a state, Kaito ran in and gently grabbed Luka's shoulders. He escorted her out of the room away from the people that encircled her. All pairs of eyes, including Miku's, followed the duo as they walked out. A small spark of jealousy lit in Miku even though she knew that it was only a sympathetic gesture from Kaito. To calm herself, she looked out the window and ignored the mumbling crowd.
Meanwhile, outside by the restrooms, Kaito helped Luka become steady again. She was such a nervous wreck that her breaths were uneven. Kaito could feel her trembling, his hands still on her shoulders.
"Megurine-san," he muttered in a concerned tone.
"I'm so s-sorry," Luka's shaky voice quietly came out.
Kaito rubbed Luka's back to comfort her, still worried. After a short while, Luka began to gather back her composure. She looked up to Kaito, her eyes shimmering from their getting teary. Kaito realized that Luka had been fighting back her tears. Luka was relieved that her tears didn't flow out. To mask it, she put up a façade that consisted of her awkward smile and worried eyes.
"Thank you for your concern, Shion-kun. What is it that you called me for?" Luka asked.
The relieved Kaito uncomfortably scratched the back of his head. Introduced with a strained and nervous laugh, Kaito started talking.
"Well…I was wondering if…Hatsune-san has said anything about me recently?" scared of blushing, Kaito was looking up to avoid eye contact with Luka.
Luka tried to remember their conversations that pertained or included Kaito. Whenever the blue-haired boy's name was mentioned, Luka noticed that Miku would always look away with vivid red cheeks. Sometimes, the girl in twin-tails would even correct any inaccurate information on the lad.
"She's usually a tsundere when we talk about you," Luka had her right hand's index finger on chin while her eyes looked at an imaginary thought bubble above her head.
Upon hearing the pink-haired girl point out what she had observed, Kaito looked at her with wide eyes and an even redder face. Using his hand, he covered his small grin and apple cheeks.
"Th-thank you," Kaito bowed in a rush.
"I'll walk you back to class," he offered.
On their way, Luka also thanked Kaito many times for his comfort. She was still quite nervous around him, but his kindness made her feel better and friendlier towards him.
Kaito stopped in front of his classroom and thanked Luka. Before he opened the door, Kaito was back to his usual sociable character and turned to Luka.
"You can just call me by my first name. We're friends now, anyways. Am I right?" Kaito, who was one of the popular boys in school, had a charming smile on his face.
Luka and Kaito knew each other. They've studied together, hung around together, and talked to each other before with their other friends. However, the two have never shared a conversation alone. They considered each other acquaintances, and that was how their relationship was until that moment.
"Yes, you're right!" Luka exclaimed.
"You can call me by my first name, too."
Luka's face lit up, realizing she had just turned an associate into a friend. The two laughed after establishing a sense of ease in each other. After a slight bow, Luka walked back to her classroom and so did Kaito.
By the stairs was Gakupo and Gumi, who went to the teacher's lounge in the lower floor to get printouts for their class. On their way up, Gakupo could hear two voices, their conversation clear. As Gakupo and Gumi took the turn from the stairs, the purple-haired boy witnessed the bright-faced Luka just before she left. Gakupo paused before taking any more steps. He felt a sting in his chest as he watched Luka walk into her classroom.
"What's wrong?" Gumi noticed right away that there was something wrong with the lad next to her.
Gakupo still stared at the area where Luka stood before walking into her room. He could still feel the sharp pain in his chest. Unlike Luka though, Gakupo knew why he felt such ache. Recalling Miku's request again, the boy reached a resolve.
"It's better this way," he thought right before he returned to his usual self.
A charismatic smile occupied his face once again as he turned to Gumi to reassure her that he was alright. They walked into the classroom together with papers in their hands. Gumi didn't think much of what happened outside as their class proceeded with their normal routine. Little did Gumi know, though, that the purple-haired lad she was with outside the classroom was no longer the same.
Author's note:
mou- jeez
naginata- a traditionally made Japanese blade that consists of a long wooden shaft with a curved blade on the end, similar to a European glaive
uwabaki- hallway slippers used as inside slippers in Japanese schools
eh- huh
neko- cat
tsundere- a slang word that combines the two words "tsun tsun," which is used to describe someone's cold/blunt attitude and "dere dere," which is used when a person is lovestruck