Chapter 18
Back at the hotel, they were being served dinner. Everybody was chatting happily over dinner about their visits to places of interests in Hokkaido.
From where Yuu was sitting, he watched as Miki stared at Ginta who was sitting at a nearby table. It seemed like her favourite past time, which irritated Yuu somewhat.
After the day when Miki got lost and Ginta ran off with Arimi, Yuu had been in a bad mood all day. He couldn't bear the thought that Miki could still be in love with Ginta and was hoping for a chance to get back together with him.
Now, seeing her in that mood again, Yuu wanted to make her look at him instead. But he knew he couldn't force her. However, it didn't mean he couldn't try. With that in mind, Yuu stood up and went over to Miki.
"Hey, Miki," Miki looked up at him in surprise. "Would you like to go on the trainway together with me later?" Yuu asked, trying to sound casual.
"Well, I was thinking of going to buy some souvenir at the Meiji period building nor far from here," Miki contemplated.
"I heard the night view at the balcony is fantastic. Why don't all of us go there?" Meiko suggested.
Not exactly what he had planned, but Yuu nodded. Anything to get her to stop staring at Ginta.
After dinner, all three of them got ready to go. Miki was back to being excited. At the souvenir shop, she wouldn't stop admiring over the various souveniers. She picked out some to bring back home to their family. Yuu smiled at her beaming face. This was how he liked her. Happy.
Taking a breather, they walked out onto the balcony. The night life in Hokkaido was spectacular. Cool fresh air blew onto their face. Yuu breathed it in and looked down at Miki standing beside him. The glow on her face was breath taking. She saw everything around her as something fascintating. Yuu wished right then that he could always be by her side to share these moments with her.
"Oh, look!" Miki pointed at a couple standing one level below them at another balcony. "It's Na-chan and Ryouko sensei!"
Yuu and Meiko turned to look. Sure enough the two teachers were standing at the balcony talking.
"Those two really look good together, don't they?" Miki remarked.
Yuu could feel Meiko tensing. A look of hurt flashed in her eyes, before she glanced back again at the two teachers. "You think so?" she asked quietly.
Yuu frowned at Meiko. That's right, he had forgotten about the encounter he had with their secret meeting at the library. Meiko was still keeping this a secret from Miki.
Yuu glanced back at the teachers. Meiko had every right to keep her secret. And so did he, for that matter. But why is it that the thought of keeping something from Miki made him anxious. This was something he didn't want to dig into too deeply. Firming his resolve, Yuu decided to let it go for the moment. It wasn't the time for it. Hearing Miki's laughter, Yuu smiled and went back to enjoying the view of Hokkaido.
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The next day, Yuu's group and Miki's group were going together on a trip. Surprisingly, it was Ginta's suggestion. Miki was trying to be her cheerful self but Yuu knew that she was feeling uncomfortable about it. Yuu wasn't complaining though.
A bus was waiting for them to board. Again, Ginta had managed to get the driver to take them around town.
"We should go to the clock tower today!" a student from their group suggested.
"And the Poplar Avenue," Miki piped in, getting excited.
"Let's not forget the Botanical garden. I hear it's quite a beautiful place to visit," Yuu suggested.
"Oh, they're all great, but we have to go to the Oodoori Park over at the main street first!" suddenly Ginta burst in.
Everybody stared at Ginta. Ginta fidgetted, suddenly realizing that he might have sounded a little too anxious about it.
"What's so special about the place, Ginta?" asked someone.
"Huh? Oh, nothing," Ginta glanced up hurriedly. "I just heard that the view from the tower over at the place is great. Wouldn't want to miss it, that's all," Ginta finished lamely.
Yuu suddenly had an inkling suspicion that something was up. But he just nodded his head and suggested they go there first. Everybody agreed and didn't think much on Ginta's persistence.
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At 2.30pm, they reached Oodoori Park. Everybody had left the bus to walk on foot and admire the view around them. In the tower, Yuu stood watching Ginta as he looked nervously at his watch from time to time and then looked around searching for something. It was as if he was waiting for someone to show up.
"Suou-kun! Did you wait long?" out of the blue, suddenly Arimi was there, hugging Ginta rather openly in front of everybody.
Yuu blinked. So this was why Ginta had wanted to come here so badly. He was going to meet Arimi here. Yuu looked around for Miki but she was no where in sight. He just hoped she didn't witness this spectacle. Yesterday was enough for her, but to receive another blow today, would be too much.
Arimi and Ginta made a move toward the lift. Good, they were leaving. They won't be here when Miki comes up. But then again, Miki might still find out since everybody they knew saw them and were now whispering about it non-stop. It was so frustrating. Just when he thought he could get Miki's mind off of Ginta, he had to pull a stunt like this with Arimi.
"Ginta!" somebody gasped out loud.
Yuu looked up in disbelief. There was Miki, just coming out from the lift with Meiko before they bumped into Ginta and Arimi who was just about to use the lift they were in.
Everybody in the tower seemed to have gone silent. A look of shock and hurt appeared on Miki's face. Yuu clenched his fists, not knowing what to do.
Minutes seemed to have passed before Arimi suddenly decided to stay after all. Yuu glanced suspiciously at Arimi. If he didn't knew any better, it would seem as if this encounter was all planned. Why were they staying now if they were just about to leave just a while ago?
Arimi moved closer to stand next to Ginta, brushing against his arm. Miki glared at the couple.
"Ginta!" a guy shouted suddenly.
Yuu groaned. What now? Sure enough, Roku had just stepped out of the lift and had spotted the clinging couple.
"How many times must I tell you to leave Arimi alone!" Roku fumed and stormed over to them.
Ginta looked like a cornered rabbit at the moment. But Arimi looked pleadingly up at him and he firmed his stance and spoke," It's none of your business, cousin. I'm just here with Arimi," with that said, Ginta grabbed Arimi around the shoulders and pulled her closer towards him.
Yuu looked rather worriedly at Miki who wasn't taking all this too well. Her heart was in her face and it seemed to have shattered when she saw Ginta grab Arimi. Not wanting to stay there any longer, Miki must have made up her mind because she grabbed Yuu's hand and made him follow her to the lift.
Ginta and Meiko called out to her but she didn't stop to look back at them. Soon, the doors to the lift were closing and they were out of the tower.
Miki kept on walking, still fuming inside. Yuu knew she was using him again to get back at Ginta. Frankly, he was getting tired of it. He wanted to spend some time alone with Miki but not like this. Not when Ginta was on her mind constantly.
"I know you're still thinking about them," Yuu stopped walking behind Miki. Miki also stopped at the sound of his voice. She looked up at him and couldn't hide her guilt from her face. Jealousy stirred within him but he tried to keep it down.
"I'm sorry, Yuu," Miki said softly and stared at her feet for the longest time.
Yuu sighed. He didn't know what to do. He wanted to rant out his frustration but he couldn't. He wanted to shake Miki but at the same time he just want to hug her close. Finally, he just did the only thing he could do. He walked on with her.
"We might as well enjoy the view," Yuu walked and could hear Miki walking silently behind him.
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Their trip to Hokkaido finally ended. Right now, they were at the airport about to board the plane that would take them back home. Roku and Arimi were there to wave them goodbye. Arimi seemed to have eyes only for Ginta, but Yuu knew it was all an act for Miki's benefit to get her upset again. However, Miki just smiled and waved back.
Roku was being himself, an idiot. He must be pleased to know that Ginta will be gone and he could now have Arimi to himself. What he should have realised was Arimi will never be interested in him. Not by a long shot.
Miki and Meiko sat together while Yuu sat a few rows down from them. Ginta on the other hand sat in the same row as Miki. Yuu felt he was bested by Ginta. Just when he thought he was getting closer to Miki, Ginta was even closer. He couldn't pretend it didn't hurt.
Perhaps it was time to let go and let those two be together. He could hide his feelings for Miki and just be her brother. This trip only made him realise that he couldn't get near to Miki's heart if she hasn't resolve her situation with Ginta.
As much as it pains him to admit, he was going to support Miki's decision even if it means never owning Miki's heart. Yuu clenched his fists and tried not to feel the dull ache that was suddenly beating in his heart.