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Salad Days
Chapter Thirty-Six
Shoegazer
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- Izumi Koushiro - Faculty of Engineering - Informatics - PASSED - Reservation Date: 04/25 - Student Support: ELIGIBLE -
Koushiro folded the letter and shoved it roughly into his pocket, swinging his school bag onto his arm as he dashed out of the classroom. The windows greeted him the nicely framed sakura tree on the school patio, the golden hour amplifying the natural pink to warm coral.
He smiled and opened his phone.
- I got in. -
A few seconds later he received notifications.
- Jyou: Congratulations! -
- Sora: Congratulations, Kou! ^-^ -
- Takeru: I'm at the newspaper club! Where are we heading tonight? :^) -
He still held his smile as he typed his replies, but the curve of his lips froze as he caught Mimi passing him by, both of them arresting each other by locking eyes. She receded from her hasty footsteps and faced him. He did too, pushing his phone back in his pocket. They waited for the corridor to clear up.
It was Mimi who broke the silence. "Seems like good news, from the looks of it."
"Y-yeah.." he stuttered, breaking their stare as he looked down on his shoes. "I got in Kyodai."
The brunette clutched her bag tightly, her smile more genuine. Koushiro made it.. it wasn't surprising at all, but she couldn't help but feel happy for him. She remembered those long distance calls between Tokyo and New York, with Koushiro going on and on about Kyoto University's exquisite engineering programs. She would have leapt on him, if the air between them wasn't so tense.
"That's awesome!" she giggled in true Mimi fashion. The boy meekly smiled, still unsure. It's been a week since the cremation. Mimi's break-up.
"How about you?" he managed, briefly looking up at her. "how were your results?"
The girl bobbed her head as she took out an envelope and handed it to him. The envelope bore the crest of Keio University. Koushiro opened the letter.
He smiled.
- Tachikawa Mimi - Department of Humanities & Social Studies - Media Studies - PASSED - Reservation Date: 04/15 -
"So Keio, huh?" he put back the letter inside the envelope and gave it back to her. Mimi merely shrugged.
"Maybe. I'm not sure, really.." she drifted off, her demeanor wistful. Before she got carried away, she giggled again. "I honestly don't know why I chose this,"
He looked at her perplexed. I know why.
"I think you'll do well," he assured, now turning around to go ahead of her. "I'll be going now."
"Koushiro-kun," she called out, halting him.
"Yeah?" He managed, feeling his voice about to break. The air couldn't get anymore denser despite the empty hallway.
She smiled and clasped her hands at her back. "I'm really glad you got into Kyodai,"
His heart warmed up, and returned the sincerity of her smile. "Thanks, Mimi-chan. I'm really happy about it too."
"We always talked about Kyodai, do you remember?" She smiled wistfully.
"And you wanted to be on the TV too," he added, joining her nostalgic mirth.
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4 Years Ago
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Koushiro clipped the earpiece on to his side as his fingers busily typed on his keyboard. He waited for the search results.
"MIT.." This was the first time he heard of the school. He scrunched his brows, scolding himself. How come he can know so much about Silicon Valley yet miss out the best tech school in the world?
"Dream bigger, Kou!" Mimi exclaimed from the phone, her high-pitched voice slightly hurting his ear. "It's time to go beyond your Kyodai dreams~~"
His excitement began to wane as he read more about the entrance exams and the applicants' experiences. Koushiro was always confident of his skills, but this was overwhelming him. He already knew how deadly the Kyodai exams are going to be, what more with this Institute?
"Sooo.., what do you think?" she asked. "Or you can always accompany me here in New York,"
"I'll be a contented boy just passing Kyodai, Mimi," he replied. "And besides, you told me you plan on not going to college,"
"That plan is still in motion," she replied confidently, followed by a loud 'hmp'.
"Just to spite your father," he grimaced, having heard most of her Japanese-in-America problems. "I know you want to be an actress but theater school won't hurt,"
"Ehhhhhhhh..." she groaned in distaste. Koushiro could hear her flipping pages. Probably magazines. "Professions like that don't go by theory, Kou. You know what I'm talking about!"
"Yeah, I know," he said as he leaned in his chair and swiveled. His neck was starting to hurt, having been in this conversation about college plans with Mimi for an hour now. He wondered if Tachikawa-san was okay with their expensive phone bills.
"Still.. I think it'll be easier to land an acting job with a theater or media degree on you," he continued.
He heard a long 'mhmmmmm' from the other end of the line, Mimi pondering over his words.
"You're right," she sighed, eventually breaking into a giggle. "It's so annoying when you're right,"
He chuckled as a blush came across his cheeks. "Since when was I ever wrong?"
"Yeah yeah yeah.." she scoffed, clearing her throat. "But I'm not going to take a test unless you're here.. or if Jyou-senpai pursues his Ivy League dreams!"
The redhead couldn't help but laugh. MIT, huh? He thought. Maybe he will try to take a test. 'Dream bigger', she says.
"Well, there's still time for change, Mi," he chuckled. "We're still in middle school after all."
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Only silence followed Mimi's giggle. With the tension rising again, Koushiro readied to go ahead.
"Well, I'll really need to get going now," he said, waving a hand as he turned around to walk away.
"Take care, Kou."
Koushiro almost went jelly-legged as Mimi bid him goodbye, despite not being able to see her anymore. It's been a week since the incident, and magically her breakup with Taichi seemed to reopen their communication. Whether it's because of her no longer belonging to Taichi or her simply being lonely, it didn't change the fact that Koushiro felt hopeful of their friendship being mended. He was trying.
Down the second floor he saw Takeru standing in front of the newspaper club, talking to a senior. Koushiro wasn't one to be usually curious of his friends ' personal affairs such as their love lives, but he couldn't help but care and wonder if Takeru managed to patch things up with Hikari.
He looked at his phone and reread Takeru's message, wanting to hang out with him. The redhead scratched the back of his head and sighed. Takeru looked busy anyway.
He turned away and opted to stick to his original plan. He was to pick up alumnus paperwork for Sora down at the register's office for her fashion school requirements.
"Takenouchi Sora," he said through the window while presenting an authorization letter, a photocopy of Sora's old ID and his own ID.
It didn't take that long for the registrar to hand him over the paperwork, all enclosed in a brown envelope. He rushed to the station.
The ride to the Takenouchi flower shop has him in a thoughtful daze as the Tokyo skyline glowed. Getting into Kyodai was the dream, and the dream will materialize in a few weeks. Graduation. He was always excited about it. But now, realizing he'll be far away from all of Tokyo Metropolis, had him wishing he had more time. More time to spend the freer days with friends, more days to make up with Taichi and Mimi.
He was going to leave everything behind, the sundown somehow making him yearn for more moments like this.
He arrived shortly at his destination. A few turns he reached the front of the ikebana shop where a bicycle with newspapers was parked at the side.
The redhead gulped at the sight, surprised that Taichi was here too. Koushiro wasn't emotionally prepared, looking back and forth the tramway.
Damn it.
Letting out a deep breath, he proceeded inside.
He was greeted by the strong smell of florals and Toshiko prompting him to go upstairs, the narrow staircase leading to the household. Dread seemed to creep in slowly as he saw male rubber shoes at the foot of the stairs. They were Taichi's, all right.
Light-footed he climbed upwards, hearing small voices as he got closer. He knocked before opening the door.
"Koushiro!" Sora was wearing an apron as she held the nose of the vacuum cleaner. Taichi was sitting on the couch, feet on the table; his surprise mirroring Koushiro as well. From Koushiro's angle, the two looked like a young wedded couple on a Sunday morning.
"Got your stuff," Koushiro replied, entering the space as he handed over the envelope to Sora. When he did and ensuring he no longer had any business to do in the Takenouchi household, he hurried to the door.
"Well, I better get going no-"
"Oh no you don't," Sora dragged him back to sit on the other end of the couch. "You're not going to leave until you tell me about Kyodai!"
Although eyes remained dead, Taichi was gaping as he watched Koushiro take a seat just a few feet away from him. He instantly looked away, avoiding him completely.
"You know this isn't necessary," Koushiro chuckled nervously, tugging his collar as he thought of a plan to get out of this awkward disposition. He stole a glance from his right, seeing Taichi looking at the other way. "I just passed, that's all. It's no big deal."
The female redhead grinned, the sight of the two 'frenemies' was amusing her. Not for long. For Sora, it was high time the two of them make up, but also knew it wouldn't happen overnight. Having the boys exposed to each other again will reopen their communication though. She turned around to get Koushiro a drink, leaving the two boys in the living area.
Awkward silence is something I've been experiencing lately, he thought in sarcasm as his eyes wandered across the walls, looking at the traditional Takenouchi home decors - porcelains, vases, pots, mostly with flowers and indoor plants. Anything to distract him from the fact that Taichi was here.
It's a miracle Sora can breathe here.. he thought to himself, allowing his mind to drift off about pollen and the usual spring allergies. His was seasonal. He now couldn't help but think if Jyou-senpai had to take his antihistamines before visiting Sora.
"So Kou," Sora called out from the kitchen. "what did you apply for again?"
"It's information engineering.. informatics," he replied hesitantly. Saying it out loud sounded weird for Koushiro. Then again, everything that usually came from his mouth made his friends scratch their heads.
And as usual, Koushiro expected, few people know what informatics is all about.
Of course, Sora just had to ask. "So what do you usually do there?"
Koushiro scratched his head as he tried to form the rehearsed words. It's easier to say it in textbook language. He cleared his throat, hoping his voice will be loud enough for her to hear. "Well, it's an applied form of information science in which involves the practice of information processes, systems. It's not just about that though, it also studies human relations with info -"
"What's taking you so long, Sora?" Koushiro was interrupted as Taichi stood up from the couch, going into the kitchen as well. The two picked up the conversation from where they left off. Sora mentioned Mimi's name, something like "you won't get her back".
Little did Taichi know was that Koushiro took offense of his interruption. And as he held his annoyance, he eavesdropped, posed in concentration. The two spoke as if he didn't exist, talking about Mimi incessantly only brought him fond memories of him the girl. Eventually, he remembered Taichi dumping her, once again fanning the flames of his anger. With a blank face, recurring thoughts of spite and resentment towards Taichi plagued him.
Until another name was mentioned.
"Yamato?!" Koushiro heard the Taichi exclaim. His heart skipped a beat upon the mention of the boy.
"Hey, he's reliable," replied Sora nonchalantly, now reentering the living area with Taichi tailing her. The brunet looked bothered.
For some reason, Koushiro took delight in it.
"Yeah.. but.." he scratched his head. Taichi then remembered the scene he saw back in Chiba. His best friend and ex-girlfriend coddled together. "Huh.. I knew they grew closer but I didn't know they became that close.."
"Well, it is Yamato," replied Sora, sitting beside Koushiro and handing him her homemade lemonade. "He's very comfortable to be with.. once you get past the ice. And Mimi's pretty good at breaking ice."
"I guess.." Taichi sat back on the couch, once again his legs lifted. "Is there something between them?"
Sora glanced at Koushiro knowingly, as if a secret. "Jealous, are we?" The redhead jabbed. "You dumped her for no reason at all, Taichi,"
The other redhead beside her winced at the statement, the mere fact again paining him. No reason at all.. he repeated the words in his head, and could only feel bad.
"Is there something going on between them?" Taichi repeated, ignoring his own offenses.
"Nothing's going on apart from friendship," replied Sora carefully. "but I think it's better you ask Yamato how he feels about all of this.."
Silence came again. Koushiro drank from the glass, trying to take this new development in. Mimi.. .always so wanted. He began to wonder what's it like to be easily fawned over by admirers, seeing she no longer just have two, but three of them on her palms, regardless if she asked for such adoration or not.
Being reminded that he's adopted, only seemed to fuel his insecurities.
And Yamato, he thought, drinking some more. He almost became envious, but it was a fact of life that he was more in tune with emotions than Taichi and himself combined. Of course girls like that, he reprimanded himself, slightly damning his high intelligence quotient to naught.
The silence only seemed to reassure Taichi of his hunches. "He has feelings for her, doesn't he?" he asked softly.
Sora stood up from her seat, walking around the living area, avoiding her eyes to match theirs.
"It's not my place to speak for him." she replied, before sternly gazing at him, and once again reminding him: "Taichi.. you dumped her."
Taichi remained silent, unable to defend his brashness. Sora just heaved.
"She was hugging him." he began.
"You dumped her!"
"Still."
"You're unbelievable, Taichi."
"Hey, I'm entitled to feel bad about it!"
"Load of bull.." Koushiro muttered under his breath. The soft sound coming from him had Sora and Taichi look at him in confusion.
"Did you say something, Kou?" asked Sora.
"I said 'I'm so full'," Koushiro replied bluntly. He knew they heard him, but he was neither going to own up or apologize for it.
Yes, they both knew. Taichi gritted his teeth, once again looking away from Koushiro as he sighed. It doesn't matter, he reminded himself. Mimi was gone now, and Yamato is the one cleaning up the mess he made.
He looked at Sora, who was cleaning the table across. And for a while, he lamented at how he has lost her to Yamato, too.
"That Ishida.." he chuckled bitterly, the only way he could express his hurt. He didn't know how he will confront him, his heart was in a cocktail of emotions. "always getting the girl."
Koushiro glanced to his side, a faint realization coming to him as he saw Taichi, the boy who broke Mimi's heart, then to his own palms, claiming now that he's the boy who abandoned their friendship.
"They're not together," Sora reminded Taichi from afar, the clicking of plates louder than the usual. "but you make it sound as if he cheated his way with affection,"
"You chose him over me, remember?" Taichi gazed at her moving figure. "He did have you, you know."
The sudden throwback had her ruby eyes stare at his chestnut ones, stunned at how Taichi's memory worked. But I did choose you, she told herself, never forgetting the times he dismissed her old affections for him in middle school. It was like re-opening old wounds. You just didn't choose me.
The redhead smirked, taking a seat across them. Her stance over the issue more solidified as she remembered that she did date Yamato for two years. That Yamato, at the very least, fought for her, hard; something Taichi didn't do for her until it was too late.
"We had a good run," she managed, a small smile on her lips.
Koushiro saw it and smiled as well, admitting defeat.
"Well, he didn't leave you, Sora," Koushiro chuckled, his eyes stuck on his shoes as he felt Taichi's posture stiffened. And from the look of things, it seems his fair-haired friend wasn't going to leave Mimi either. "I'll give him that."