Ch 9 White Day
White Day's another important day in Japan. During this day, girls get reciprocated for what they did for Valentines. It was a time for hope. In Japan, guys seldom confess their feelings because the 'first move' always comes from girls. Romantic relationships happen when boys give back to the girls' full effort or when they take the first initiative. White Day was the perfect opportunity for that.
Youko's White Day was always about Ryuuji, Commander Kuroki and Usada. Reciprocating Youko's chocolates was an established tradition already in the Special Missions calendar (except for the year when they were fighting against Vaglass). She received flowers from Commander Kuroki, homemade candies from Usada and chocolate bunnies from Ryuuji. She put all her presents in a basket and placed it in her room.
Hiromu happened to be in his favorite place at the hallway. White Day was nothing special for him despite all the efforts of his oneesan to force him into dates. Besides, his research proposal was almost done and he had to prioritize that before anything else.
He was browsing through books when Youko happened to pass by in his favorite place at the hallway. He looked up to see her appearing very giddy about something. He even noticed that she was wearing something that he had never seen before—weird big glasses, a brown poncho over a white dress and soft brown boots.
"You're in a good mood today" Hiromu said.
Youko stopped in her tracks and turned to him. She smiled giddily and replied with a fist in the air, "I have a fight today!". Hiromu thought he heard these words before. These words usually escape from the mouths of people who will have a date soon.
A date, Hiromu thought. He was nodding his head slowly until the word "date" registered in his mind.
"HUH?!" He exclaimed, standing up. The books on his lap fell undamaged on the carpeted floor.
Youko winked at him and began to do hops in her walk. Hiromu's eyes followed the hopping figure until she vanished from the exit.
Spying
Youko ate her candy while waiting at the amusement park's entrance. She checked her reflection from a glass window nearby and was stunned to see a familiar figure hiding behind a tree. She raised her arm to the level of her face and pressed CALL MODE on her morphin brace.
"I can see you" Youko said, puffing her cheeks, "Hiromu"
Hiromu appeared from behind the tree. He staggered initially but was quick enough to swing back to his usual composure.
"Why-are-you-spying-on-me?" Youko asked, folding her arms as she drew her face close to his.
"BAKA!" Hiromu said, his hands in his sides, "I'm just...checking on you"
Hiromu's composure seemed to be wearing off. Youko could see color spreading from his cheeks while he looked away, trying to avoid her gaze. She tried to suppress a chuckle upon seeing this unusual gesture from him. Her curiosity awakening, she cleared her throat and said confidently, "White day's a good day for dates. Why don't you ask Reika-san out?" Uttering Phantom Thief Pink Buster's name made her tone sarcastic.
From afar, a boy of the same age waved at her. Youko waved back.
"I should be going back then" Hiromu said flatly, "or he would think of something else"
"what are you talking about?" Youko asked, returning his gaze
"your date" he replied, pointing back at the boy
"Baka!" she chuckled, "I DO have a date, with USADA. There's a new attraction at the park today and I said we're going there together."
Youko couldn't contain her laughter anymore. She laughed some more until her eyes became watery.
A Confrontation with Ryuuji
"Youko reported something to me today" Ryuuji said, revealing his amusement.
HIromu continued doing notes in his laptop while Ryuuji struggled to say words in between laughs.
"you like her" Ryuuji said. Hiromu froze but no words came out.
"I came to her room and I saw a note from you on her bulletin board. It said: because I'm better than Ryuu-san."
Again, no words came from Hiromu's mouth. He continued typing equations in his laptop until Ryuuji raised his hands ("I surrender" with a chuckle) and returned to his room.
Hiromu closed a workbook and slumped back in his seat. He closed his eyes and heaved a big sigh.
A Confrontation with Youko
Youko and Usada arrived after dinner time. After changing to her usual pajamas, Youko settled for a while at Hiromu's favorite place in the hallway before retreating to bed. She slumped at the long couch beside Hiromu and yawned.
She had to see him before she could get a shut-eye. She thought it was best to apologize for laughing at him so hard earlier. She can't forget the expression on his face before and after he found out that Usada was her date for White Day. She almost thought that he got jealous. Uzo, Youko thought, I'm not his type.
"gomen," she said apologetically, "for laughing at you earlier".
"it's nothing" he replied calmly
As expected from Hiromu, Youko thought. She rose from her seat so that she could go back to her room. But just as when she's about to take her first step, Hiromu took hold of her wrist.
This gesture made her froze.
"Youko, you forgot…something" Hiromu said, his eyes were wide when he pointed at a fallen object on the floor.
Youko turned around to see Hiromu's bewildered expression. She followed his gaze until her eyes fell on a handkerchief that was lying on the floor. She couldn't believe her eyes.
The fallen object was Hiromu's blue-striped handkerchief.
Her most treasured item.
"Youko..tell me something" he demanded, releasing her. He tried to hide his amusement, but it was obvious in his choice of words. Why do you have this with you?
"shut it!" Youko replied embarrassedly. She grabbed the object from the floor and placed it inside her pocket. Her cheeks turning beet-red, she looked away and began her steps towards her room.
"chotto, Youko!" Hiromu quipped, trailing behind her.
He grabbed a hold of her wrist again to stop her. But he made a forceful pull that both of them fell together on the carpeted floor.
Their bodies weren't the only things that slumped together…
But their faces too. Without inches or centimeters in between.