Author note : My sincere apologises for the late update. The last month had been hectic and this week I was busy editing this chapter. For all those who have reviewed this story, a big thank you to all. Reviews and constructive criticism are welcome.
Misaki stayed awake till late that night. She felt restless and uneasy, thoughts going astray, her imagination running away like a wild horse. Time and again her thoughts returned to the encounter in the evening. It was a pleasant evening, she stressed. Although she didn't know what it was, but something was amiss about the whole thing. Could it be something on her part, she thought quite critically, or was it the way Fuji behaved? She dismissed the latter option; he was at his charming best. Maybe I'm just making a mountain out of a molehill, she cited tiredly. Why can't I forget that whole thing? It wasn't more than a meeting, why am I acting as if I had run into someone from the past? But before she could think more about it, sleep took over and the question remained unanswered.
"Hey, Misaki…are you sure you are fine?"
"Of course I am," Misaki snapped, turning around to face her friend Kimura Reika, who continued to gaze at her as if she was a patient who had escaped from quarantine.
Reika waved away the impatient retort casually. "You know, you look like you have not slept the whole night. Not good, especially for the morning classes."
"Oh, just shut up." Misaki hollered, starting to feel really annoyed. But she caught her self before anger took control. Seriously it can't get worse than this; I have no reason to shout at Reika, she considered, sighing.
"That proves it; you have definitely not slept the whole night," Reika added knowingly.
Misaki sighed, "When you know that I'm tired, you will still go out of the way to annoy me, right?"
"Oh, I'm just having a little fun." Reika implored all too demurely. Misaki was now perplexed – she had no idea how this so-called conversation was going ahead. Just as she was going to give in to Reika, then her 'guardian angel' come there to rescue her.
"It seems that Reika is at her little game again, right Reika?" Amaya remarked dryly, catching hold of her by her shoulder. Mori Amaya, another one of Misaki's good friends, always knew how to counter Reika's inquisitive nature.
Reika stiffened. "Amaya…it's nothing like that…it's just that…"
"I'm not asking for a clarification, Reika. You don't have to be so petrified," Amaya added, smiling, and then turned to Misaki. "Judging by the look on your face, its best not to ask you anything further. Anyway, shall we head for lunch?" She gestured towards the near-empty classroom.
"Sure," Misaki replied easily, shooting a glance towards Reika which clearly stated a warning.
"But I meant no offence, Misaki-"Reika began but was soon stopped by Amaya, gesturing towards Misaki who had already began advancing.
"Leave her alone, she doesn't seem to be in a good mood," Amaya offered. "If she has something on her mind, she will tell us sooner or later." Saying that, both of them started following their friend towards the school grounds.
Meanwhile, Misaki was still at a loss as to figure out what exactly was troubling her. She didn't have any major problem looming over her head that she had to share with her friends, no the encounter last night wasn't even worth mentioning. This isn't good, she thought, I can't get all high-strung and nervy over a sleepless night.
It was the lunch period, and Misaki headed towards the rooftop, alone. Amaya and Reika were again busy with something else, and they had rushed off before she could even ask, citing that they would explain later. With the intention of contenting herself with watching the sky, she ascended the flight of stairs.
She opened the door only to have the frame reveal the presence of another person, leaning over the parapet. Misaki was caught in a dilemma; she recognized the person all too well, but what now? He hadn't noticed her yet; she could still turn back and go down. Or maybe should she just wait?
A smile crept over Misaki's face as she considered the sudden flash of thought she had. This time she will be the one to initiate the conversation. The roles get reversed here…
She walked up, standing directly behind him, and spoke all too knowingly, "So we meet again, Fuji-san…"
The said person turned around to face her, a brief look of genuine puzzlement crossing his face. "Why, it's you, Nishino-san. I didn't hear you coming."
Really, you aren't the kind to be caught off-guard, she thought, but she chose to voice something else, "Say for once you were lost in thought, what else? Now don't go on to call it a good guess."
"Well, since you have ascertained it for yourself, I won't have to be redundant."
"Really, is this what you call a guess? Nothing as compared to you."
Fuji knew that there was more to that comment than the obvious insecurity it stated, but he pushed that aside and placed his next words carefully, "I don't think there's any point in arguing over a casual guess."
"You're right; I'm the one making a big deal out of it." Careful, she warned herself. "So, how's everything going?"
"Good. How about you?"
"Fine, I should say." That's all we have in common, nothing else….
"What's with that look on your face?" Fuji asked, gazing intently at Misaki.
"Look, what look?" Misaki was now all the more perplexed.
"Why does it seem to me that whatever I say catches you off-guard?" Rather than waiting for an answer, he asked another question.
"Such a strong conclusion, being impulsive doesn't suit you." Misaki surprised herself by saying that.
It was now Fuji's turn to be surprised. He had anticipated a hurried clarification from the look of the things, but he didn't imagine her to hit back in the same way - more like she read through him. My, we are playing a mind game, aren't we?
An uneasy silence followed, none of them knowing what to say. He continued to regard her almost critically; while she was going over the conversation, trying to probe deeper into the unspoken words. Finally, Fuji broke the silence. "Let me ask you something general. How about giving a description of yourself?" He almost knew the answer she would give, and he proved to be right.
"That's one thing I can't do."
"Fine, try describing yourself in one word." He pressed even further.
"I would say – unpredictable."
"Unpredictable? I don't think you are telling the truth."
"What makes you say that?"
"Are you just using any word so that you don't have to describe yourself?"
"Could be, but why are you so interested anyway?" Misaki was now planning exactly what she could say, but a part of it depended on the replies. However, she had more or less figured out what the questions could be.
"Interested? I'm merely asking in general."
"I don't think there's any point in arguing over this."
"So do I think, but I still hold that impression of you being defensive, Nishino-san."
"We are again heading back to the same thing." Misaki stated wearily. She could have argued relentlessly, but the whole conversation was centered on her. She wasn't too sure of what Fuji could reply in accordance to her questions.
"Fine. I won't say anything else."
Silence followed again, but this time it was more comforting than awkward. She decided to take the cue. "I too still hold the impression of you being an interesting person."
"Why, I think that was for you, Nishino-san."
"This conversation proves it."
"It only reaffirms my conclusion."
"Conclusion?" Misaki was now curious.
Fuji replied with his ever so present smile, "About you being enigmatic."
Misaki could have reacted in so many different ways, but she spoke something completely unusual, "The same holds true for you, Fuji-san. You are no less than an enigma."
Before Fuji could reply, the bell rang, signaling the end of the lunch period. Misaki turned to face him before leaving, "Although I hate to leave a discussion open-ended, we have no other choice. I'd like to hear your answer, Fuji-san." Saying this, she left.
Fuji was slightly bewildered. Answer, I don't think there was anything to answer about, or was there? He recalled the last statement.
You are no less than an enigma…..
Enigma, huh? We'll see about that, Nishino-san, was the last conclusion he arrived at before heading back to class.
What was all that about? Misaki thought warily. She was leaning on her desk, waiting for the class to start. Students were still standing in groups, the teacher nowhere in sight. She looked up, her eyes searching for two familiar faces, but couldn't spot them. Come to think of it, where are Reika and Amaya? They didn't even tell me what work they had. She sat up straight, glancing towards the window. Not that it matters now, I really had such an interactive time, now didn't I? She sighed, recalling the unexpected descriptive sentence.
About you being enigmatic…
Do you even realize what being enigmatic means, Fuji-san? Misaki murmured, recalling the whole charade they made out of a perfectly normal conversation. However, she couldn't dwell on it more, for the teacher had come, and to her surprise Reika and Amaya were calling out to her in fierce whispers, telling to wait for them after the school ends.
What it is now, I wonder. I have no wish of going out anywhere after school, if that's what they are thinking about. Especially not today…