Chapter 12 Are you avoiding me?

Their trip ended with unprecedented turn of events with the biggest change being a somewhat cordial Kanata and Miyu closely followed by Nanami warming up to Nouzumo and the rest (read: Kanata and Santa). Everyone was relieved since there were no cold vibes anymore and the whole group emerged stronger than ever before with no rivalries for the time being. Kanata and Miyu were now on talking terms but nothing really did change as they continued arguing about everything like before. Miyu always felt comfortable with him around. Actually she felt more than comfortable with him, something she couldn't put into words. Ever since that night she had been trying hard to understand why had he kissed her? She was not that dense so she knew kissing someone meant you liked them but then they were stark rivals. They were not meant to be together. She could clearly see it but perhaps he couldn't and somehow she needed to make that clear to him. Despite of the fact that she liked him more than ever now, she could still not let him near her at least not in any romantic sort of way, she had commitment issues but that was not the only reason why they couldn't be together.

'In a relationship' a phrase that made her claustrophobic. For someone who loved her independence as much as she did she could never commit to one person forever. Probably it was the reason why she had never had any boyfriend. Once she had tried it out of curiosity (read: her only attempt to change her life in order to avoid her past) which ended in a disaster with her running away from that guy and she had to change her school in order to completely avoid him merely at the end of a month. During that really short time she had felt so bounded as if she was dragging something heavy around all the time and felt like she could not breathe freely. And every second felt like she was being held up with nowhere to escape to. That's how she had realised that she was commitment phobic. Also her past gave her valid reasons to ignore boys and any kind of future relationships. But with every passing moment it was getting harder to avoid Saionji. Ever since they became friends it became almost impossible not to confront him. Suddenly he was everywhere in their classroom, during the lunch break and even in the basketball court always in her opponent team (to train the girls team they had started practising with the boys team).

The starting weeks of the final year of high school went by in a frenzy like any other new academic session. The preparations for the cultural festival of school were on with great enthusiasm and everyone except for a certain person was excited for this year's unique event. Honestly Miyu was dreading the day. She stopped to look at that abominable poster that stood pinned to the notice board with her face staring back at her next to Kanata's.

She flashed back to the moment she was informed about the hateful event when she along with Kanata was summoned to their principal's office the previous day. "I'm really happy to inform you both that this year we are raising charity for the poor children using our fest as a medium" their overly enthusiastic headmaster informed them grinning.

"That's really a very nice thing to do sir, I'll be more than happy to help" Miyu replied reflecting his enthusiasm. She loved social service it meant helping people as much as you could with contentment as a reward.

"Great I'm relieved to find that you both agree".

"Who said both of us agree? First tell us what are we supposed to do" Kanata snapped. Only he could talk to the Principal like that and get away with it.

Getting nervous from the condescending aura he was emitting their principal replied with a small voice "well uh we thought um in order to catch maximum attention um we needed to do something different so we've decided...decided on putting some acts from final year students together with...um um the event ending with a special dance performance... by the school presidents, that is, you both". He gave them a hopeful look.

Miyu shook her head in disbelief "I thought you said dance performance, surely you're joking right".

"I'm not. Everyone was thrilled by this idea since it would attract most of the youth from the other schools and people ship you both a lot. You both are very popular so it was the best idea we could come up with" he replied.

"No way, I can't do that" she was shaking her head furiously.

"But you just agreed to do anything, you can't back off now".

"I said anything but I don't dance. I'm not dancing in front of the whole freakin town. Sorry sir but that's impossible. We'll think of something else".

She kept asking him to change his mind while Kanata stood there silently watching them then abruptly he gave his consent "I am fine with it".

He stood smiling at them and she wanted to kill him right there. She forced herself to ignore the temptation "even if you agree I'm not doing this" shaking her head violently. Suddenly headmaster grabbed her hands looking at her with pleading puppy dog eyes "please Miyu, I've already circulated the invitations to other schools. I thought you loved your school. Can't you do that much for me or for your school? Please do this for those children".

The situation was getting out of control. "But sir you don't understand. I really don't know how to dance then how am I supposed to perform" she desperately tried to defend herself for the last time.

"Don't worry about that. I'll teach you" Kanata provided.

He looked way too enthusiastic for someone who wasn't interested a while ago and it took all her effort to not give into her temptation to strangle him. All her efforts had been futile and she had had to agree eventually.

Now she stood in the corridor staring at that atrocious poster of her and Kanata. She sighed deeply wishing the day would never end. She was to start her practice sessions with Kanata from today for next two weeks till their fest. Inevitably classes ended and she headed to the auditorium praying it would be empty but the moment she entered she froze. It seemed like whole school had gathered to catch their practice sessions. She turned around on impulse and crashed straight into Kanata. His arms wrapped around her holding her instinctively as he looked down to her face "What's wrong? Are you okay?"

"No I'm not. Performing once is dreadful enough I can't embarrass myself in front of whole school every day" she sounded hysterical. Kanata looked at her and suddenly pulled her into a tight embrace. She really was scared and he couldn't help but wonder at her vulnerability beneath that strong demeanour she usually projected.

"My god Miyu, you are such a mess. Who would have guessed you of all people had stage fear higher than the Mount Everest. Its okay, if you don't want to do this then you don't have to push yourself unnecessarily. I'll go tell the principal to cancel it" he said still holding her.

"How long do you plan to hold me like this?"

"As long as you don't calm down I am not letting you go".

Well I'm never letting you go but he kept that thought to himself.

After a few moments she felt a lot calmer and even though she would never admit but she actually liked his gesture. "I'm fine now thanks and there is no need to cancel the event. Invitations have been circulated and those kids are far more important than 5 minutes of humiliation" she replied trying to smile.

"You're giving those unknown kids higher priority. You really are…stupid and as a reward for your stupidity I'll make sure no one catches our practice sessions. Just leave it to me" he winked at her and disappeared into the auditorium.

She summoned all the courage she had and entered through the door. He had kept his promise as there was no one in here apart from them. He stood at the centre of stage deep in thought.

'I should ask Mizuki & Nanami to help us'. She picked her cell to call them but suddenly he was standing in front of her holding her arm in an attempt to stop her from making that call.

"Don't"

"What? Leave my hand" she snapped. Amazing how he could be so hateful right after being so gentle.

"Okay go ahead and call them if you want to burden them with one more event. With the fest around the corner they already have enough in their platter. Besides I don't want Mizuki here" he replied blatantly.

Shocked, she tried to deny "I wasn't calling anyone for help."

He raised an eyebrow and leaned down to face her "didn't anyone tell you that you are a lousy liar Miyu Kouzuki".

Their proximity sent her heart into frenzy and she reflexively took a step back. He inched toward her and she kept backing from him.

"What's gotten into you? Why are you behaving so weirdly" she stammered.

She faltered at the edge of a stair losing her balance. But instead of falling down she found herself being whirled in the mid air and pushed against the wall with Kanata's hands at her waist holding her firmly. She couldn't bring herself to look into his face. Her heart was beating so loud that she wouldn't be amazed if he could hear it.

"Can I ask you something Miyu?" his hands were on the wall on both the sides of her head, trapping her between the wall and his body. She tried to keep as much distance as possible in that small room she had in between them.

"What?" she asked trying but massively failing to sound firm.

"Why are you running away? Ever since that evening you have been avoiding anything that involves me. You don't even look into my eyes anymore while talking to me. You weren't like that before. Earlier you used to challenge me whenever you had the opportunity and you used to do that while staring straight into my eyes. But now you even refuse to get into same room as me. Did you really think I wouldn't notice it? Why are doing this, why are you avoiding me Miyu" his eyes glazed with strange emotions.

"I'm not avoiding you Kanata. Why will I do that, you're over thinking. You are just a friend and I don't avoid my friends".

He inched closer to her and she tried to retreat but in vain because of the wall. "Miyu you know that I like you but I won't force you. I promise I'll never cross my line again after this".

"After what, what do you mean again?" she barely had the time ask as his lips crashed with hers and she was rendered speechless while he kissed her. She didn't know what to do. After all it was her first proper kiss and it felt damn good and wrong at the same time. After an eternity he broke the kiss and touched his forehead to hers.

"I'll wait till you are sure about your feelings for me because I know you feel for me too, you're just being stubborn as usual denying it. And now would be the time to concentrate on our dance practice okay" he said pulling back from her with a grin on his face. He looked really happy as if he had won some sort of lottery as he made his way back to the stage leaving her with a racing heart that threatened to escape out of her mouth.

'The nerve of this guy to torment me and then act like as if nothing happened! Pervert! Jerk! Idiot!' That was all she could do, scream in her head as she followed him back to the stage.

Every day after classes they met at the auditorium and like he had promised no body sneaked upon them and neither did he cross his line. She was happy like that. Despite of having feelings for her he kept his distance and she grew habitual to his presence. Both of them kept squabbling about everything but then that was absolutely natural for them.

They, actually he, had decided on a contemporary act where all she had to do was keep her balance while he would be doing the hard work of dragging & spinning her around. The song was a romantic number 'Wait for you' by Elliott Yasmin. Miyu wondered at his talent. It turned out he was an effortless dancer too.

"Tell me honestly, what is the name of your planet? You're definitely not human. Humans aren't supposed to be perfect".

"Quit asking stupid questions and concentrate on the moves instead, we've to perform in the evening" he retorted and she stuck out her tongue at him.

After the dress rehearsals they gathered at the auditorium in the evening. Whole school was decorated beautifully and she made a mental note to congratulate Christene and Nouzumo for their job. Everyone was excited. She felt goose bumps on her skin as she got ready for their act. It was the final act of the evening with the fireworks to mark the end of the fest.

She checked herself into the mirror for the last time looking for any signs of anything over the top. Her makeup was light and she was sporting a beautiful lavender frock like dress that made her look like a doll, cute and soothing to eyes. She stepped out of the green room making her way to the backstage.

Finally her nerves caught up to her while she tried desperately to keep herself calm as she waited for Kanata. He was nowhere to be seen and she had gotten so used to his presence that she was already feeling lonely without him. Closing her eyes to calm herself she took a deep breath and when she opened them there he was, standing next to her in a tuxedo without bow tie looking exceptionally hot and handsome as hell. She had to look away from him to stop herself from staring.

"You look... beautiful Miyu. I'm finding it really hard to keep my promise" he whispered against her bare neck. Her heartbeat quickened and she frantically looked around to see if anyone was looking at them but there was no one. Apparently everybody wanted to watch them perform. He took her hand in his as their names were announced. With the music they began to dance. Her heart was beating like crazy at first as Kanata whirled her around the stage but soon she forgot everything else. All her attention was on him and she let him guide her through the song. Before she knew it the act was over and the crowd erupted in a loud chorus of cheers. As she looked over to him with joy she felt different, she felt complete. That evening bridged the gap she had created between them.

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sneek peek into next chapter

"So you can obviously cook too" she almost blamed him, for what she didn't know.

"I take it you are not happy with that".

"No, it's just that you are so perfect. You can do anything".

"Well thank you for the compliment" and he looked up to smile at her and then resumed his chopping.

Miyu took her time to drink him in; he was really an exquisite sight, too handsome to be real. No wonder I was so affected by him. Watching him chop vegetables in her kitchen gave her a feeling of being couples, like newly married couples and she blushed at the idea. Great Miyu not even 24 hours and he is making you think about marriage.

"A penny for your thought" she looked up to see he was watching her intently. She tried to scowl at him but failed massively so ignored him.

"No problem, I can pretty much guess what you were thinking" and he gave her that carefree smile not his usual cold smile that did not reach his eyes, the smile she had fallen in love with.