7 Chapter 7: Full Moon (1/2)
After that tragedy, I mean incident, our class was called inside a big room. All the boys were scolded by our homeroom teacher, while the girls were angry but quiet. Not everyone seemed to regret what they did, especially Jirai. The girls just gave us mean stares. The boys were all having the 'we didn't even see anything!' look. When it was over, the girls seemed pacified, since some of the boys apologized. As I was walking towards the door, I ran into Nariyuki and Hiroisora. They both had sad, or maybe, disappointed faces.
”Um... About that, I really can't say Jirai forced me--”
”If you wanted to see it that much, you could have just asked me...” Wha-what is Hiroisora talking about!?!?!
”Huh? Uh-what are y-you talking a-about?”
”Hehehe. See, I told you! His face will turn red if you say something like that.” Nariyuki... One day I'm going to get back at you for this.
”Sorry Takaiyama-kun! Nariyuki forced me to do it. It was funny, though. Hehe.”
”Haha... No problem...?” Well, there is a problem. All the other guys inside heard what she said. If before my relationship with her was suspicious enough, now it's a full scale scandal.
Cover = blown.
---
After all that had happened, I wanted to get some fresh air. I decided to go to the outdoor garden. I sat down on a bench near a pond. The breeze was cold and the moon was beautiful.
”Now this is more like it...”
”Yeah...” Huh? Who was that? Someone was standing behind me.
”Hiroisora? Since when did you get there?” She's like a ninja, really.
”I was standing here the whole time.”
”No, you weren't.”
”Yes, I was.”
”No.” Wow. I didn't realize she had this playful... or stubborn side. Either way, it's cute.
”Haha. Ok. I give up. I saw you walking out here and I followed you.”
”Should I file charges for stalking?”
”Sure.”
”Haha. I'm not sure if I should take that seriously.” She's funny as well.
”Please don't. Hehehe. By the way...” She sat beside me.
”Yes?” As I looked at her, she was staring at the moon. The moonlight was shining down on her face. It's really the first time I thought she's beautiful. Well, maybe I did before, but this time I felt something different.
”It seems like you can speak to girls now without stuttering.”
”Oh.” I didn't expect her to say something like that. ”Really? Now that you mention it... Well, maybe not every girl.”
”It's still a big step. I'm happy for you.” She said to me while smiling.
”Maybe I should rethink those stalker charges...”
”Hahaha. Maybe you should.” We continued to talk a while longer, laughing at the silliest things. I almost wished the night wouldn't end...
---
Hiroisora got a little bit sleepy and went ahead of me. I stayed a little bit longer. I wanted some time to think of the things we talked about. Was it true that I was stuttering less now? I'm really not sure. It was just Nariyuki I could talk to without stuttering. Now I can talk to Hiroisora as well. Maybe I did make progress.
I got sleepy shortly after that. I decided to go to my room. As I was walking in the hallway, I realized something. Why the heck didn't I make a move on Hiroisora?! It was the perfect opportunity! Darn it!!
While I bathed with my feelings of regret, I entered our room. It was dark. I thought Jirai and the guys would still be awake. I guess they were tired. I went straight to bed. As I was dozing off, I could hear people talking loudly from outside, but didn't pay much attention to what they were saying. I slept like a log.
---
The next morning, when I woke up, I noticed I was alone inside the room. Damn those guys, they didn't even bother waking me up. Maybe they wanted the food all for themselves. I could see Jirai really wanting that. I was a bit late than the scheduled breakfast. A lot of students were already seated and eating. While I was walking to my designated seat, I heard people whispering and then heard my name.
”Hey, it's Takaiyama.”
”Yeah. That bastard.”
”He better not be walking alone, or else they won't find his body.”
I could feel the tension is heavier than anything else I've experienced before. I asked Jirai what was happening.
”Hey, Jirai. What's going on? I feel like everyone is... angry. And they are staring at me.”
”Not everyone. Just the guys.” He answered me like he doesn't care.
”What do you mean?”
”He means you're in trouble.” Nariyuki suddenly joined in on our conversation.
”Huh? Why is that?”
”Oh? Acting innocent now, are we?” What's with these accusations? Nariyuki is acting weird. Well, more than usual. ”I suppose it wouldn't be a 'secret' if everyone knew about it. Who would've thought you were a smooth talker. Hehehe.” What is she talking about?
”I don't think I understand what you're saying.”
”Oh, just stop it, will you!” Jirai suddenly shouted. I think he's seriously angry. ”Stop acting like you don't know anything!”
”What's your problem?! I said I don't know what is happening!” Everyone was already looking at me, but now it seems that they were paying attention to us. During the commotion, I noticed Hiroisora was also looking at me, but then looked away when she saw me looking at her.
”Ok guys. Finish your breakfast. We're leaving in ten minutes.” One of the teachers announced from the front of the room. I still don't have answers.
---
While we were walking along the hallways towards the exit of the hotel, I was deep in thought. What the hell just happened?
”Hey Takaiyama-san.” Nariyuki suddenly talked to me. I didn't notice she was there. ”So, is it true? You can tell me, no need to hide it.”
”What's true? I don't know what you're talking about.”
”Seriously? You don't know?”
”Yeah. I kept on saying that since this morning.”
”Oh.” She seemed a bit surprised at my ignorance of this 'issue'. ”Well, that you and Hiroisora are a couple now.” I must still be sleepy. Did I hear that right?