Kiyoko was lain out in the grass, Kokoro on her left and Mikomi on her right. The river slowly ran by at their feet and the large boulder was only a few feet from them. While the sun was caressing their cheeks, their clothes were warm and the grass cool. It was serene.
“Hey Kiyoko?” Mikomi’s quiet voice carried on the wind.
“Hmm...” Kiyoko’s eyes were closed as she spoke incoherently.
“Do you think surprises are good?”
“Depends. Why do you ask?”
Kiyoko looked to Mikomi; Kokoro was snoring quietly behind her.
“Well, Ronin’s been acting strangely the past few days.”
“How so?”
“He seems to be thinking a lot, pausing while he’s talking for no reason and mumbling to himself.”
“You think he’s planning something for you?”
“I don’t know! It makes me so nervous!”
Her arms were stretched out against her body, her hands in small fists. Kiyoko sat up and placed a composed hand over Mikomi’s trembling ones.
“Calm down. I’m sure it’s nothing bad, he’s probably just anxious about telling you something. I mean you are his longest lasting girlfriend.”
“Yeah…ok.” Mikomi inhaled slowly with her eyes shut.
“Better?”
“Yeah, I think.”
A loud snort came from behind them, they both turned to see Kokoro turn over in the grass.
“We should probably wake her.”
“We should.”
Kiyoko stood and crept over to the stream. She cupped her hands, dipped them in and pulled up some water. It was rather cold despite the sun’s rays. She snuck up to Kokoro’s legs and dropped the liquid.
“AHH!” Kokoro sat up quickly, a blade of grass fixed to her face; Kiyoko and Mikomi laughed hysterically.
“What was that for!?”
“Oh, you were snoring,” Mikomi said, while leaning her cheek against her hand, her feet up in the air behind her. Kiyoko sat back down between the two and looked at Kokoro’s face.
“What?” Kokoro pulled back, suspecting something bad may happen.
Kiyoko put her hand out, reaching for Kokoro’s face-“you have grass stuck to your face”-she pulled the blade off and they laughed. She flicked it away and fell back in the grass, followed by Kokoro.
“So Kiyoko, what are you gonna do for the dance stuff?” Mikomi turned to Kiyoko, her legs going back and forth.
“Yeah, do you even know what you’re supposed to do?” Kokoro faced her as well.
“Oh I finished all that yesterday afternoon.”
“What!?” the two shouted.
“Yeah, I turned my information into the student council office this morning.”
“You were just nominated yesterday!” Mikomi leaned forward on her arms in the grass.
“So?”
Mikomi and Kokoro looked at each other then back at Kiyoko who was reclined in the grass, eyes closed.
“So who’s the entertainment!?” Mikomi blurted.
Kiyoko cracked an eye open to look at Mikomi, who was leaning on her elbows even more with her usual sanguine expression.
“You’ll have to find out for yourself.”
“But that’s not for two and a half months!” Kokoro shouted.
“However will you survive?” She sarcastically sighed then started laughing, followed by the others.
“So, if you turned it in this morning, I’m sure the President and Leader have it by now.” Mikomi said quietly as they all laid back down.
“Probably.” Kiyoko sighed.
- - - - - ---------- - - - - -
It was seven a.m., two hours before school, Kayo and a fast asleep Tatoya on his corner desk were already there, as Ronin was coming in.
“Hey Ronin,”-Kayo called from her desk as he walked in.-“There’s a folder for you on your desk.”
“Who from?” He stopped before her.
She shrugged her shoulders.-“Don’t know. Tatoya fell asleep here; he said when he woke up around five there was a folder in the inbox outside the room.”
“That’s weird…”
“Yeah.” She was fiddling with her pencil a little while watching his handsome face contemplate who knows what. He looked over at her.
“What?”
She jerked back, looked down at her notepad, and started writing various scribbles to hide herself and change the subject.
“Whatever.” He walked on and into his little office, as he sat down he picked up the folder. A taped down post-it with ‘President’ written very neatly on it was on the front cover.
“Strange.”
He opened the folder; small clear tabs came from beneath the sides of the papers. There was a blank page in front, he turned it, and a small note was printed on the next page.
To the Second Year President and Third Year Leader of the Student Council:
This folder contains all the information I gave to the planner and entertainment performer, as well as any other facts and details concerning the dance and preparations. Please don’t come to me with anymore meaningless tasks.
Sincerely,
The Vice President
“That’s…so bizarre.”
He kept going through the folder; everything was neat and organized; complete and perfect. It was shocking, the Vice President was only just elected yesterday! He closed the folder, stood up from the desk and headed out the door.
“Kayo,”- she looked up from writing something-“is Sateko here yet?
“Yeah, he came in a couple minutes ago. He’s in his office.”
Ronin turned from her and headed to a closed door and knocked lightly.
“Yeah?”
“Sateko, it’s Ronin, I have something you may want to see.”
“Come in.”
Ronin opened the door and closed it behind him. Sateko stood in place, his chair behind him; only a small dim light in the room and the curtains were drawn. He was very tall, lean but with muscle, his hair was short, coming a little over his ears and a brush of bangs to the right.
“What is it?”
“Look at this.”- he handed Sateko the folder- “This morning around five, Tatoya, who fell asleep here again”-Sateko rolled his eyes-“said when he woke up there was this folder outside the door. It’s from the Vice President.
“And who’s that?”
“I don’t know. Whoever he is, he never came to meet me about the job, though I don’t think he would’ve needed to.”
“What do you mean?”
“Open the folder.”
Sateko opened the folder and turned to the page with the note.
“Wow…”
“Yeah. Whoever this is, he’s obviously smart, but I have no idea who.”
Sateko flipped through the pages, astounded by how well the work was done.
“Ronin, can you figure out who this guy is?”
“Sure.” Ronin turned to leave.
“Ronin.”
Ronin stopped and looked back at Sateko. “What?”
“Can you ask your girlfriend to hook me up with one of her friends? I don’t have a date for the dance.”
“Of course, I’ll ask her later.”
“Thanks.”
“No problem.”
Ronin turned back and left the room.
“Now to find out who the vice president is.”
“What?”
Ronin looked up; Tatoya was standing in front of him with a big donut in hand.
“Huh? Oh, nothing. Just mumbling to myself.”
Tatoya lifted his eyebrow at him.
“You’ve been doing that a lot lately.”
“Really?”-he started walking away, toward the door to leave the council office-“I hadn’t noticed.”
Kayo and Tatoya exchanged a concerned look after he left.
- - - - - ---------- - - - - -
Ronin had been asking around for a few days, but not many people knew or remembered who had won. A group of girls thought it was ‘H’ something, which was a huge help. He sighed.
“Darn. This is becoming way too difficult!” He fell back against a window in a now quiet hallway, his head titled to the ceiling. How could nobody remember the name of who won just a few days ago! This is just not making sense.
“Ronin? The Student Council President?”
“Yeah”- he looked toward the voice; a guy was there…a familiar one- “what do you want?”
“Hmm, must not remember me.”
“Not exactly.”
“I told you to keep away from my friend once?”
“Uh…going blank, sorry.”
“Never mind”- Kihaku rolled his eyes and held out a hand, there was a small note in it addressed to Ronin.
“What’s this?”
“It’s a note from the Vice President. I was asked to give it to you.”
“O…k…?” He took the note.
“Who’s it from specifically?”
Ronin looked up and Kihaku was gone.
“Thanks a lot”- he said to himself-“Well, this is getting creepier by the second.”
Ronin opened the note.
I know you’re trying to discover who I am. If you’re really so curious, come to the large rock by the river after school.
I’ll be waiting.
“Scratch that. Now it’s creepier.”
Ronin folded the paper and placed it in his pocket. He looked at his watch, 10 minutes before the bell.
“Not long now.”
He walked down the hall and turned into the student council office to grab a few things.
The bell rang; crowds flooded the halls with noisy chatter bouncing off the walls. Ronin had been lucky enough to escape five minutes early; he wanted to be at the river before this ‘mysterious vice president.’
He was leaning against the rock, watching the gentle rush of the river. A cool breeze rustled his hair and blew through the trees.
“Hello.”
“AHH!” Ronin jumped back, hitting the rock and almost falling into the river.
“Sorry, did I startle you?”
Gentle eyes looked at him with concern as black silken hair fell around the delicate face of a very pretty girl.
“Y…yeah, I’m fine.” He stuttered, and then gave a thin smile. “You’re the girl who fell in the hall.”
She chuckled a little. “Yes, that’s me.”
“So, why are you here?”
She stepped back and stood tall.
“You came to meet me didn’t you?”
“I came…? Oh! Wait, what?”
He stepped towards her.
“You’re the mysterious Vice President?”
She nodded.
“How…?”
He scratched his head, an enormously puzzled expression on his face.
“Unexpected?”
He sat down and murmured a quiet ‘yeah’. She sat down beside him.
“It was shocking for me too.”
“What do you mean?”
He looked over to see her and jerked back a little at her close proximity to his face.
“Well, I don’t remember ever volunteering to be nominated. So when I was told I won, it was a little strange.”
“But how did that happen? Every person nominated must consent to it. It’s how we make sure these things don’t happen.”
“It’s alright. I finished the most time consuming project for this semester, so it’s not that bad now. Although, I preferred being anonymous; it gave me a mystifying edge.” She laughed a little, and he chuckled along nervously.
“Sorry about the confusion.” He muttered.
“Don’t worry; it’s not your fault.” She patted his shoulder, making him blush a little, then she stood; he followed.
“I hope you’re satisfied in solving this suspenseful mystery.”
She gave a small giggle then waved and left through the trees, her hair blowing in the wind.
“An ending with a twist.”
He laughed to himself and looked at his watch.
“Oh shoot! I have to meet Mikomi in five minutes!”
He grabbed his bag and ran the same way Kiyoko left.
“She’ll kill me if I’m late!”
As he ran, attempting to avoid the possibility of impaling himself on a tree, he heard a gentle and clear male voice. Being curious, he stopped to find the source. He stepped carefully through the trees and bushes until he saw a tall, handsome man with short-ish white hair, wearing a long black coat with peculiar aqua colored designs.
He was talking to the girl with black hair and aqua eyes; the very one he was JUST talking too! …his face fell into a frown; this was the second time he failed to ask for her name. He tried to listen but it was mostly mumbles to him, so he opted to attempt lip reading…everyone needs to try once in their life, or he was just stranger than he thought.
“The time draws closer.”
“For what?”
“I cannot say.”
“Why?”
“A promise.”
“Ok…who are you?”
“I can’t tell you that either.”
“So you came to tell me the ‘time’ draws closer…again?”
“Yes.”
“Why?” She persisted.
“I wish you to be ready.”
“But what for?”
He smiled. “We’re going in circles.”
She huffed, crossing her arms. “Yeah, I can see that.”
His smile was gentle, but sad. He seemed to be hurt about something or someone; however his warm pale blue eyes and smooth looking light tan skin drew her away from that. She stepped toward him.
“This may sound uncanny, but I feel as though I know you and this is only the second time I’ve met you.”
Ronin may not have had a lot of luck with the lip reading; he managed a few words here and there, though not much else. But when she stepped forward, he simply watched with an uncertain look taking over his face.
She had started to place her hand on the man’s face, when her eyes grew wide and her other hand clutched her chest. She breathed deeply and her legs gave way, but before she collided with the dirty ground, the good looking young man caught her up in his arms.
“He’s here already.”
Ronin watched her fall, that must have been what happened that day at school when he found her collapsed in the hallway. He saw the man scoop her up so easily, and look down lovingly at her sleeping face, before his expression changed and he mumbled something to himself. For some reason, Ronin felt anger boil inside him as he watched the man stroke her cheek and then walk away with her in his arms.
Ronin came back from his hiding place, itching to follow them, but checked his watch. He was already ten minutes late! He moved to run away, looked back at where she was taken, and then ran off.
- - - - - ---------- - - - - -
Ronin lay sprawled in a chair across from Mikomi at a small table outside a little café in town; breathing hard to catch his breath. He calmed himself then sat up to face her.
“Are you ok?” Mikomi questioned as thoughtfully as one devouring an icy dessert could.
“Yeah”-breath-“sure.”
“Ok then.” She grinned happily and took another bite of her ice cream.
“Oh, hey Mikomi?”
“Mmm?”
“Sateko asked me if you knew anyone interested in going with him to the dance.”
“Hmm…well Kokoro has a date already. Kiyoko doesn’t, but I don’t know if she’s the blind date type.”
“Oh come on”- He leaned forward on the table-“he needs someone. You know you love playing matchmaker.”
“Well…alright. I’ll ask her.” She smiled.
“Thanks!”
He grabbed his own ice cream and began eating. The recent events on his mind gave his eyes a worried look, the strange anger still there. Mikomi beamed brightly at him after a big bite of her frozen yogurt, and he returned it with a weak smile.
“Mikomi?”
“What?”
“Is there a new student at school? Tall, white hair, light tan skin, a white mark beneath one of his eyes?”
“Nope. Never seen anyone like that.”
“Ok. Never mind.”
“Are you sure everything’s ok?”
“Perfectly.”
He smiled sweetly and placed his hand over Mikomi’s; she turned deep red.
- - - - - ---------- - - - - -
Kiyoko felt like she was warm and relaxed, but oddly bouncing up and down, with a faint shout all around her.
“Kiyoko!” –Akina hit the bed-“Get up!”-she fell back again.
“What…do you want?”
“You gotta get up! You said you needed to be up by nine!”
Kiyoko opened her eyes.
“Right, I forgot. Sorry.”
“That’s ok; you seemed a little out of it last night.”
“I did…I don’t remember.”
She stared at the ceiling.
“Come on, I made breakfast!”
“I’ll be right there”-she shouted while Akina skipped down the stairs, humming loudly.
Kiyoko put her hand to her head, trying to remember how she got home.
A handsome, gentle face crossed her mind.
“Right, the tall guy came again…he said something about time…”
“Kiyoko! Come on!”
“I’m coming!”
She grabbed a pair of faded jeans and a tan shirt, quickly put a little of her hair in a small pony tail in the back and jogged down the steps.
“I’m here.”-She buckled into a chair-“What did you make?”
“Your favorite.”
“Toast and omelettes?”
“Yup!” She smiled and placed the food before her wide eyed sister.
“Eat up!” Akina beamed again and sat down to eat as well.
Kiyoko ate quickly, thanked Akina for the meal, and bolted out the door. Mikomi wanted to meet her by the river, and she was most defiantly late by now. Kiyoko ran across town, dodging bushes and avoiding noisy pedestrians.
When she spotted the woods, the white haired man crossed her mind again. She ignored it and continued through the trees. As soon as she was a few feet from the clearing, she noticed a figure standing there. She called for Mikomi, and then stopped when she saw it was not Mikomi, or even a girl for that matter.
“Oh I’m sorry; I was looking for a friend.”
“Mikomi, right?”
“Yeah, she asked me to meet her here.”
“She asked me too.”
“Well, this was certainly underhanded of her.”
“Indeed.”
“So who are you?”
“Oh, I’m Sateko, Leader of the student council.”
“Really? That’s you?”
“Disappointed?”
“Why would I be?”
“A friend of mine said he’d ask his girlfriend if one of her friends would go to the dance with me. I guess this is her way of getting us together.”
He laughed a little and Kiyoko smiled.
“No.”
He looked puzzled-“No what?”
“I’m not disappointed.”
“Well then, will you go to the dance with me?”
His brown eyes were warm to look at; her fingers twitched, wanting to run though his dark brown hair.
“Of course.”
“Umm…since we’ve both been tricked into a long day of nothing, would you like to see a movie then get some lunch?”
“Sure.”
His expression lifted and he walked forward, she turned and they both left the clearing. Two pale blue eyes with an angry look shimmered in the trees then vanished. The time was much closer than previously calculated. This was bad.
The bell rang, signaling the students to head to class.
Everything was loud and yet quite, polished floors and gleaming windows allowing the morning’s sun to shine through and bathe the walls brilliantly. The trees outside wavered slightly in the breeze and the sky, vivid and clear, had not a cloud to be seen. Everyone inside shuffled along exchanging last minute words with their friends, then heading to their class. No one even took notice of the radiant nature beyond the confines of the building. Yes, it was another normal day.
Leaning against the cool wall, Ronin would calmly observe the outer world bustle by and see then, the relaxed environment take it and move on without a care. Watching this soothed him and prepared him for the day and whatever may bother him within it.
Ronin sighed; people never seemed to understand that life wasn’t meant to move quickly, but to be slowly enjoyed. He just wished he could meet a girl who thought the same way…however every girl he met just wanted to speak of the future and what would come.
“Ronin?”
Ronin turned his head to see his somewhat good friend standing there.
“What?”
“Class has started, you’d better hurry.”
He really wished he didn’t have to hurry. Class was so dull and predictable, though that’s not entirely unexpected since he was a genius. This isn’t one of those self proclaimed geniuses either, he really was one.
Ronin had already transferred to his second year of high school despite the fact that he should be in his first, age-wise. He could excel, he had even been offered to go to one of the most prestigious colleges, but declined. Life was too short to hurry along, so he wanted to move where he was…slow and steady. Like a river. He liked rivers, they were still and peaceful. After school he often went to the river down in the park. No one ever went there; it seemed to him that no one ever cared.
Ronin lifted himself from the comfort of the wall he had been leaning against and began heading to class. Looking down at his feet as he walked, he kept thinking of things, of people, of two days ago. He remembered the girl, the beautiful woman he had saved and left. Supposedly she went here and was a first year, meaning he probably wouldn’t see her often. However he kept thinking of what she said ‘Tatsujan’ …he had never heard that name before, it sounded old and foreign. Bounding through his mind and bothering things that were better left untouched. Wait, does that mean she thought he was someone else….was that why she kissed him??
“Grr…” Ronin scowled slightly, bringing his hand to his head.
Why was this bothering him so much?? She was probably just another girl who wanted the future, who talked of boys and clothes. She was nothing, no one….he didn’t even know her! But why did she keep disturbing his thoughts and bombarding his dreams?
He arrived at his class and slid back the door, only to be greeted by his angry teacher and surprisingly un-stunned classmates. Ronin was often late to class, especially the last two days, this has earned him cleaning duty every day after school...keeping him from going to the river.
So, knowing this would happen, he trudged to his seat and slumped into his usual position of staring out the window, which was relatively easy considering that his seat was in the very back next to it.
“Ronin? Hey…Ronin?”
“Huh…?”
“Come on, wake up! You said we could go eat together. I’ve been waiting so patiently!”
“Uhn...yeah, alright...”
Apparently Ronin had dozed off during class, yet another thing that was common for him, though, like being late, had recently increased within the last two days. He gathered his few things and shoved them into his bag, the girl taking his arm and looping hers though it.
She leaned on him as they walked out; he had actually been with her for a week, an abnormally long time for him and a girl. It wasn’t that she was unlike any of the other girls he had been pushed into dating, he had just been so busy lately that he hadn’t really had the time to bother breaking up with her. Her name was Mikomi; she was a little short, with long brown hair and bright violet eyes. She was a first year, and he had to admit she was rather cute and cheerful; actually she was one of the few girls that had ever caught his attention. Ronin had begun thinking of late that if he never could find that girl who shared his feelings, she would be good.
Once outside the building, Ronin had to squint due to the sun’s intense blaze today, although he wanted to appreciate its beauty; Mikomi proceeded to tug him forward.
“So, where do you want to go Ronin? ...Ronin?” She was staring up at him with her usual confused look, it was very cute on her and he looked back.
“Sorry, I’ve been very out of it recently.”
“I’ve noticed. Everyone has! Is something wrong? You can tell me if there is, maybe I can help.”
“No, I’m fine. It’s nothing, really. I’m just tired that’s all.”
“Ok then!”
She was really way too gullible. But its better that she didn’t know, he didn’t really want anyone to know what he was thinking.
“So, where do you want to go then Ronin?”
“Uhh...let’s just go to MacDonald’s.”
“Ok! But I want dessert too!”
“Sure.”
She giggled and clung tighter to his arm. He smiled down at her and they kept walking on. That girl before was nothing, he shouldn’t worry about her…he’d probably never see her again anyway. So there was nothing to worry about. Absolutely nothing.
- - - - - - - - - -------------------------------- - - - - - - - - - -
“Mommy take a picture!”
“Ok, honey, hold still now.-click- There all done.” The woman smiled down at her daughter who enthusiastically grabbed the camera to see.
“Oh yes this is a very good one, mommy!”
“Why don’t you go show your father, he’s over there on the towel.”
“Ok! Daddy!! Look, mommy took my picture in the ocean!” The young girl ran over to where her father was seated reading a particularly large book. She flopped down onto the sand right next to her father, shoving the camera in his face.
“See! It’s me!”
“Yes it is. Don’t you look cute.” He smiled warmly at her, and the young girl beamed back at him.
“Why don’t you go back and play with your mother and let me finish this chapter?”
“Ok! Hurry daddy or you’ll miss all the fun!”
“Alright.” He chuckled as the girl shot up and started for her mother, who was still in the shallows of the ocean waves.
“Mommy! Daddy said he’ll come soon, and then we can all play together!”
“Alright honey. Ohh…”
“What’s wrong mommy?”
“Nothing. Your sister was kicking again, that’s all.” The young girl’s eyes fell on her mother’s swollen belly.
“Can I feel?”
“Yes, put your hand here.” She did as her mother asked, and then smiled, looking up at her mom.
“She moved mommy! When will my sister be here?”
“Very soon honey, very soon.”
“Yeah!” she shouted throwing her small arms up and pushing her silky black hair back over her shoulders. Her mother smiled sweetly, watching her daughter dance around in the water as her husband arrived, placing his hand on her shoulder.
- - - ------- - - -
Kiyoko’s large aqua eyes broken open yet again. She had been experiencing the strangest dreams, no they more were like memories. It was weird and she was confused, this phenomenon had been going on for two days now. They told her that she had been found in the middle of the street after being lost for two days and ever since then she has been having these ‘memory dreams’.
*knock*
“Come in.”
“Good, you’re awake. Mom asked me to bring you some food.”
“Thank you Akina.”
“Kiyoko…did you have another weird dream?”
“Yeah, is it that easy to tell?”
“Kinda. But you look better than yesterday!”
“Thanks…I think?”
“Do you think you’re ready to go back to school yet?
“I don’t know…I guess. I just hope I remember everything.” Kiyoko laughed a little and poked at her rice sadly.
“Sis, are you sure you’re ok?”
“Huh? Yeah, I’m fine.” Her face smiled but her eyes looked tired and unsure.
“Ok, I’ll come by later to check on you.”
“Yeah, alright.”
Akina closed the door gently. Kiyoko’s smiling face fell and for some reason a tear escaped her. She had been secretly crying for hours lately and the worst part was she had no idea why.
Kiyoko finished her rice, and set the bowl and tray aside on a nearby chair and leaned back on her bed. She closed her eyes and replayed her recent dreams, and thought of school and her friends there. While thinking she drifted back into sleep.
- - - ------- - - -
“Sis...Kiyoko? Hey get up already! …Uhhh!!” Akina pushed the ignorant lump on the bed clear to the edge before it hobbled slightly and feel with a slam on the wood floor.
“HEY! What the heck did you do that for?!” She shouted after being awoken from a well needed peaceful sleep, with a crash to the very chilly floor.
“You said you were going to school today, right? Well then you better get up! It’s almost seven.”
“WHAT! Why didn’t you get me earlier, I didn’t make any lunch!” She shouted while scrambling to her clothes before thrusting them on and doing what she could with all her hair.
“Don’t worry I made some for you, THIS TIME. However you have to do it yourself tomorrow.”
“Really?! Oh thanks, you’re a life saver! What would I do without you Nina!?”
“I really don’t know…” Akina muttered under her breath as Kiyoko grabbed her things and headed for the door, a piece of cold toast hanging from her mouth.
“Wha wa at?” She asked quickly, sounding muffled, before bolting with a shouted farewell.
“Oh nothing…” Akina replied to herself before getting ready to leave as well.
- - - ------- - - -
“Kokoro, Mikomi, wait up!” Kiyoko yelled as she saw her friends beginning to head inside the school building.
“Kiyoko! You came today!” Mikomi replied, while waving enthusiastically.
By the time Kiyoko reached the steps she had to stop and take a deep breath. She hadn’t really done much since she had been in bed for days, and too much physical exertion really wore her down.
“Yeah, I’m alright now. So what have I missed?”
The two girls glanced at their winded friend then to each other and chuckled.
“Typical Kiyoko, always worrying about school.” Mikomi laughed again.
“I do not! I just want to make sure I do well.”
“You always do well! You’re like a genius, you could move up a grade you know?” Kokoro suddenly popped into the conversation.
“Well…so what? I can’t just go and leave my friends just to move on in life. I’ll always be with you guys.” Kiyoko smiled at them, looping her arms though her girlfriends and leaded them into the building just before the bell rang.
“Hey Kiyoko, did you know I have a boyfriend now?” Mikomi asked her friend with a near bursting expression.
“What, really? Good for you Mikomi! So who is the lucky guy? I’ll have to ascertain him for myself you know. Can’t have any jerks taking you away from us, right Kokoro.”
“Yes! Though I have seen him and he’s gorgeous.” Kokoro added in reply.
“Ok, ok. Just don’t hurt him, he’s a nice guy.”
“I would never. I just think we should meet him too, we are your best friends after all.”
“Well, I for one can’t promise anything.” Kokoro added.
“Kokoro!” The two said in unison, stopping in front of Kokoro and Mikomi’s class.
“Ahh…don’t worry I won’t do anything to the guy. He seems nice, pretty smart too, maybe even smarter than you Kiyoko.”
“Yeah right. Who would be smarter than her! She was even offered to go to college!”
“Well I hear he was too...but decided to stay for some weird reason.”
“Hmm, strange. Maybe I’ll ask him later. He said he would take me to eat again! Did you know we’ve been together longer than any of the other girls he’s dated?!”
“No way, really?”
“Yeah!” the two chuckled during their spirited conversation until realizing Kiyoko had said nothing at all and looked rather bizarre, almost distant.
“Kiyoko? Are you all right?” Mikomi asked.
She didn’t know. For some reason this guy seemed familiar, but there’s no way she could know having never met or even seen him before. However…she then registered that someone was calling her.
“Huh, what?”
“You were spacing…are you sure you’re ok to be here?” Kokoro inquired with that stupid eyebrow shot up into her bangs.
“Yes I’m fine. I’ll just head over to class now. See you later.”
“Ok, bye then.”
“Yeah, bye.”
The two girls watched their dazed friend head down the hall before turning to slide back the door to their own classroom.
While walking, Kiyoko continued to ponder about the past and present. Everything had been so odd lately, and it was very frustrating. The outlandish dreams were increasing in frequency and her head seemed to be filled with strange things that she knew and understood, but didn’t.
Knowing people, she figured if she told anyone of how she felt they would ask her if she was having boy problems or that this was a typical teenager thing. But she wasn’t stupid, this was most defiantly not a boy problem seeing as there was no boy to have a problem with and yes, she was a teenager but this strange occurrence had nothing to do with her current age.
Everything she saw in her mind but never knew or understood was becoming blurry and out of place, yet at the same time, things were falling into those empty spaces…things she felt were real, but not.
Kiyoko raised her fingers to massage her temples hoping it would push and sooth back any annoyances waiting to pester her already busy mind.
Being so smart could be so exasperating! If she hadn’t been she could just ignore this as some stupid ‘growing up’ problem…but no, she knew better.
Kiyoko stopped in the middle of the hall, she knew her class had already started and she would be late, but she just needed to think. This guy Mikomi talked of just burst open all the tightly closed doors of her mind for some unknown explanation and closing them was becoming a far more difficult task then expected.
Glancing up, Kiyoko saw a bird flutter past the window and land on a gently stirring tree. She loved to watch things go by, to see the sky inch slowly as the world rotated, moving the weather along; to watch the sun hang in that sky and show her what was to be seen. Everything was so peaceful and it helped her feel serene and regain her control.
Although classes were going on, she didn’t care…she didn’t seem to care a lot lately and she wondered why. The days weren’t any different, life wasn’t any farther or further behind…it was just normal while begin abnormal, calm and yet busy. Kiyoko felt so…hallow and bland…like she was living life but watching it, like a play. She was acting the part but never felt the character. No, stop.
Kiyoko stopped staring at the beauty and shook her head trying to clear her sense away. Now was not the time to think, there was no reason to. She lived and did and keeps things moving.
Satisfied with her decision, Kiyoko nodded approvingly to herself and turned heading down the corridor leading to her class with a smile planted nicely on her pretty face.
Everything was good and so was she. Nothing was wrong it was just life playing tricks, and she never fell to tricks…she was smarter than that! Sliding back the door of her class, Kiyoko continued smiling and repeating the same phrase to herself.
“Everything is fine and so am I. Everything is fine and so am I. Everything, everything, everything…”
Class was finally over but Kiyoko stayed until every person left the room. She was a very quite girl, never speaking to anyone unless necessary. She had her friends and they were all she needed…friends and family.
After being certain everyone was gone, Kiyoko stood from her desk and stretched. Even though she had been late, class seemed to be longer than usual today.
Following the well needed stretch, Kiyoko headed out of the room; she really liked it when the school was quiet and empty, then she could think. She did enjoy thinking, in fact most of her time was spent thinking…there were just certain things she didn’t want to think about, certain things that were locked up and hidden.
When she came upon the window she had stared out of earlier she stopped and watched. Watched things pass by…and smiled.
She raised her hand to the glass and felt the nice warmth of the sun blazing through and the cool surface of the glass, combined it was a nice sensation to feel. Kiyoko closed her eyes and took in the feeling, spreading it throughout her body and thinking…no, clearing. Clearing all the frustration and sadness, all the unneeded worry…everything that threatened to break her locks and to find the problems that were so carefully hidden.
Just to be empty.
- - - ------- - - -
Ronin had unfortunately needed to cancel his date with Mikomi since he had to yet again stay late to clean. The building appeared to be empty, which he liked…it was quiet and wide.
Now that he had finished cleaning, Ronin had begun heading out. Right as he was turning the corner he stopped and turned back quickly. There was a girl there…he didn’t know anyone stayed this late of their own accord? He peered back around to watch her. She seemed to be…being…well he couldn’t quite tell what she was doing. Her hand was on the glass of the window and her eyes closed, almost as if she were talking to the window…no, to the world beyond it. Then she smiled, it looked very pretty on her…and very familiar. Why was that smile familiar?
She continued to stand their and Ronin continued to watch.
“I’m glad to be empty now. Thank you.”
The girl suddenly spoke to the window or whatever it was she was ‘connecting to’.
She opened her eyes…those eyes, Ronin knew those eyes. They were large and deep; those mesmerizing aqua eyes that had starred at him in the rain. She was the girl he saved…Kiyoko, was it? Though she seemed different now…almost glowing and peaceful. Then the strangest thing, Kiyoko turned to the window and placed a small kiss upon it, relaying her previous thank you a second time. Oh...and Ronin really remembered those lips…he had dreams about those lips.
She lightly caressed the window, her soft eyes watching as she did and left down the hall, her hair swinging behind her with the white ribbons waving along with it.
Ronin was shocked and puzzled…she seemed so very familiar, and light. As though if he touched her he may fall through; something about this girl was warm, he felt it coming off her in waves. Though there was also something else, but he couldn’t place it.
He walked out from behind the wall after the door had closed behind Kiyoko and walked to stand where she had been.
The spot had a perfect view, a large cherry blossom tree was to the right and the sun was coming in warmly on the left, plus there was a wonderful view of the flower filled field that settled its roots next to the school.
She was…was she thanking the plants? He thought that sounded strange, but then again she did seem rather strange as it was. He looked away to the door she had exited from, was she the one for him? She seemed to have the same feelings as him and she was very familiar…was it because of the emotions they supposedly shared? This complicated train of thought was beginning to bother him so he decided to stop and worry about it later.
Ronin glanced back outside then left the same way he came, for fear she may see him had he gone the way she did.
- - - - - - - - - -------------------------------- - - - - - - - - - -
The trial was finally over and had been just as ‘abhorrent’ as Roiyaru expected. It had all been so very tiring, but today he was going to see Ookawa and she always smiled for him, erasing all his woes. He would get her out soon enough and was really so close to doing so.
While walking the dirt covered path that weaved through the garden, Roiyaru thought of her and all they had been through, but soon they could be married and everything would be just as it should. He confidently smiled and even blushed a tad as some rather inappropriate thoughts crossed his mind, but he quickly smashed them.
The building that now housed Ookawa was in view and he unconsciously began to pick up the pace.
The large metal and wood door that sealed the structure was just as Roiyaru remembered, large and impregnable. Luckily he remembered the incantation he learned from a few of the elder Kouken-Tamira. He placed his hands onto the small indents in the doors build, one made of metal the other wood. Technically only a Kouken-Tamira accomplished in both metal and wood capabilities could open the door, but seeing as he was a royal he was quite sure he could enter. Research has yet to fail him, so why would it now?
Roiyaru closed his eyes and began speaking the dead language, it sounded so weird and the flow was almost pushing itself. He was glad he never had to do this often or he may have had trouble later on in life.
The two indents began to glow, the wood more than metal, this meaning Roiyaru was better suited to wooden materials then metal ones. It was hot and he felt his hands burn a little as the doors attempted to reject him. He spoke loud and drove the words into the small slit between each indent, the doors grew hotter and the smell of burnt flesh was reaching his nose. But he could not give up, this would work…it would just be a little painful. However he knew the spell to heal, even if it was definitely his least favorite to use.
His hands fell further into the solid doors and Roiyaru pushed and spoke, the two combined heaved the doors slightly forward, and he knew what was next.
When the doors begin to pull you in, push and speak then shout the word.
He remembered the passage. So he pushed and spoke and…
“KAIHOU!”
The doors vibrated drastically and slowly with large creaks and bangs the two doors were thrown open. Roiyaru almost fell forward from the thrust, but the thought of falling on his burnt hands did not really please him.
Roiyaru looked at his roasted limbs and healed them, he really hated healing spells they were slippery and rough, and they even had a strong smell making him gag.
Once happy with his healed hands, Roiyaru headed for the third floor, the stairs in this place were far too large and far apart. Not unlike everything in this place. As soon as he reached the correct floor, Roiyaru speedily went to the gate that led to her home in this terrible prison. Just before he knocked, the door opened and out stepped Myto, Ookawa’s bodyguard and close friend.
“Oh, hello Myto. Awful trial today wasn’t it?”
“Yes, it was indeed.”
“Ummm…can I please come in? I came to see Ookawa.”
“As you wish.”
Myto held the door open further to reveal the small quarters. Ookawa was generally held in a room in the back of the apartment. Myto lead Roiyaru to the door and opened it slowly.
“Be prepared.” Myto warned.
“What for?”
“You will see.”
Myto opened the door completely to reveal that there was nothing, no things, no her. Roiyaru was stunned and perplexed. Where was she?
“Myto…where is Ookawa?”
“She is here…but she is not.”
“What are you talking about?! I don’t see anything, where is she!? What’s going on?!”
“I think it’s best for you to read this before asking anymore questions.”
Myto handed Roiyaru an envelope with “Rio” neatly written on its front, it was most defiantly her hand writing. Roiyaru took the envelope and turned it over to open the seal.
As he began to open it, Myto headed out of the room.
“Where are you going?”
“She wished me to leave after giving you the letter.”
‘Wished’. Roiyaru was getting very upset suddenly. Things weren’t right and she wasn’t here and she had ‘wished’ and wasn’t here… What’s going on?
Hands shaking a little, Roiyaru continued to open the seal and removed its contents. Tenderly he unfolded the letter and yet again found her delicate hand writing; it soothed him just looking at the winding loops and intricate styles of the letters. Then reluctantly Roiyaru began to read.
~Rio…
WARNING!! : I know this chapter may be a bit overwhelming for some, and that it also contains a lot of information. I hope that doesn’t hinder your decision about the rest of the story. It gets better. When I write I tend to mention some more info in the first chapter or so, but dialogue grows. DON’T GET DISCOURAGED! Please, it’s really much more interesting later.
Thanks.
-Itsumademo
- - - - - - - - - -------------------------------- - - - - - - - - - -
“Are you sure about this?” Myto questioned his best friend softly, placing the ancient stone in her hands.
Ookawa gently nestled the necklace making sure the charm placed on the walls and doors was doing its job efficiently. No one needed to eavesdrop on their last conversation.
“Yes. I need to get out of this place…even if I was found innocent; there is no possible way I would be respected anymore. I need to leave…” she looked down at her bare feet then turned back up to gaze into his pale blue eyes “…I will miss you greatly Myto…” a tear escaping her aqua colored eyes stained her elegant gown.
“Respect? Ookawa, I wish you wouldn’t seem so reserved. We both know you’re not afraid of some dumb respect problem.”
He really hated it when she noticeably avoided her true feelings towards something. He knew she was scared of herself.
Myto wrapped his arms around Ookawa embracing her tightly. She had been weakening ever since this stupid trial began and everything was collapsing around her.
- - - ------- - - -
The Blade of Infinite Power was a sword that gave its wielder the power to control the worlds. However no one could be simply given this authority, so the Goddesses of Elements and Chaos bound the blade to the fisher of time between Senkyou and Earth. This conclusion had been made because of the horrific outcome of The War of Beginnings.
The war had erupted some seven thousand years after Senkyou’s creation, due to an erratic surge and plunge in power. The Blade was being relentlessly claimed by a myriad of beings seeking more control. So they hide the blade from any who could use it.
Time was an element that had never been or could ever be mastered. Only Gods and Goddess’s controlled it, but on rare occasion someone came who had been given this power. History records three known individuals who have ever grasped Time.
Tourin, a Kouken-Tamira from eighty-nine thousand years ago, appeared in Senkyou during a time of rebirth. However he returned to his own time after a mere ten years and never returned; it was assumed he had perished in The War of Beginnings, which had later been revealed to be his true time period.
Matsuro, a Drutai Mage from forty-five thousand years ago, emerged in Senkyou only to wreak havoc on every town he stumbled upon in search of more power. When the devastation had subsided the Kouken assumed Matsuro had either died or returned to his own time period.
Hitotsu, an unusually powerful Tamira, came into view of the rulers of Senkyou in the times after The War of Beginnings. Hitotsu would have been a Kouken-Tamira if it were not for the fact that they had yet to be created. He later became known as The First Chosen and initiator of the Kouken or Guardian.
The Kouken consisted of any Tamira that could control an element, which was rare throughout the Tamira. They would be apprenticed by a master and dedicate their lives to the protection of The Chosen and The Blade of Infinite Power. However during the reign of the twenty-fourth Chosen named Shukensha, the Blade vanished from the fisher and Time itself.
It’s been 100 years since the Blade vanished. Fifteen Kouken have been executed for treason, thirteen have been imprisoned for suspicion of involvement and await their trials, and three have been accused of not only conspiring against The Chosen, but designing the plans for and doing the action of stealing the Blade of Infinite Power.
Ookawa had been one of those three.
She was not only unusual in appearance, but also one of the most powerful Kouken ever to exist. She has endured fifty years of trials with ease, but is now drained of the will to continue on. She had no true proof that she didn’t steal the Blade, and was frightened of what she might have to or will do next. So she designed a plan to escape not only the cell she was confined to, but her life in general.
Ookawa had decided to reconstruct a new life for herself…one where she wasn’t inconvenienced with protecting things or researching new projects or just being in her muddled life. Myto knew all this, not because she had discussed the arrangement in detail with him in advance, but since it was written all over her face when she looked at him. She was worn-out and her vivid aqua eyes no longer held the same carefree expression they once had fifty years ago. So he agreed to let her go, forever.
- - - ------- - - -
“I should begin…” she whispered into his ear.
Myto unwillingly released her and she stepped back to look into his face. She was trying so hard to prove she was just fine, but he knew she was faking the contentment displayed by her small smile.
“I do not want to leave you either. But I should begin, the reconstruction will take about 50 years to complete. And besides, Roiyaru is expecting your presence at today’s trial…you should not disappoint him.”
She placed her hands on the side of his face, smiling warmly at him…one last time. Afterward, Ookawa turned and walked to the circle she had made on the smooth floor and seated herself with the pendant held openly in her palms and closed her eyes.
Myto couldn’t believe this would be the last time he saw her smile, or her beautiful eyes, or…her.
“Will I ever see you again?”
She didn’t even open her eyes to reply to his query just simply spoke the words.
“Goodbye…my friend.”
Myto would not have let her begin with an answer like that, if it were not for the true smile she had on her face. He knew what she was saying; he knew that someday their paths would cross again.
The walls started to vibrate slightly, however no one would notice. Ookawa had designed him to pick up such things when she had created him two hundred years ago. He was her guardian after all.
The charms that had once been placed to merely sound proof the room were now fulfilling there true purpose. Eventually the room began to reconstruct its appearance, removing Ookawa and whatever things she may have had with her, all that was left remaining was a vacant room.
Myto had at this time turned around and started heading for the door. He knew she was still in the room, but her charms caused her to become untraceable. Although, he really wasn’t sure how comfortable he was leaving Ookawa in this space for 50 years, undetectable or not. But she had assured him that her plan would work and she would be absolutely fine.
- - - - - - - - -------------------------------- - - - - - - - - - -
Ookawa had only sat down when Myto asked her. She knew he would, but all she could do was smile and say her last farewell, before she began to conceal herself.
Even though she was now appearing as if her body was dissolving, she could still sense his hesitation in leaving the room. After a few more minutes, she detected his footfalls, he had left her and she was alone.
Holding the stone out plainly in her weak hands, Ookawa began reciting the incantation. Small shocks crept up her backbone and the forceful component pulsed through her body.
Energy, her favorite element to control.
She channeled the power to her brain and began working on her short term memory. Ookawa had already decided what she wanted to do, so she made sure not to screen that part of her memory until she had finished.
She reviewed the eight or nine memories stored in her short term memory then commenced the process. While scanning through the first remembrance; she had to be sure not to erase anything, just hide it using the artificial ones she creates and layers over them. Keeping this in mind she began working on changing every sensation to another then continued by altering what she heard, saw, spoke …everything.
Ookawa continued this same process for every sense in her short term memory. Once she was sure everything was concealed she started designing a memory around every feeling she had changed…every voice…and every face.
She knew that due to her weakened state everything she managed to alter would probably not take complete effect until a day or two after she had finished rebuilding. Fortunately she knew that her body would adapt quickly to her newly applied settings and send her into a comatose-like state for a few days.
- - - ------- - - -
It was an unnamed charm, except for its stamp as forbidden. There were very few who even knew the origins of memory reconstruction, other than its supposed difficulties. And to do a layering this complicated was an incredibly complex task to accomplish, even for the most skilled Kouken. But Ookawa was special…
Unlike normal Kouken-Tamira she could control every element, when it was doubtful a Kouken-Tamira could even have power over two. She also had an atypical appearance, with jet black hair and shining aqua eyes. Tamira simply had gray or white hair with pale blue or brown eyes and an occasional dark red coloring in the iris.
Plus, she was only seven hundred fifty years old and had already always been exceptionally gifted with knowledge and wisdom…words in particular. She knew what all things were and what every word meant, even when she had never learned it. Though when she attempted to match a definition to a word she had not been taught, she would often have difficulty placing it.
- - - ------- - - -
After shifting everything in her short term memory she made certain there were no lose ends that may possibly trigger her memories back. She tracked every passage and checked every nerve message in her cerebral cortex. Luckily all stimuli had successfully been screened and every nerve message reformed.
Now it was time for the long term memory. This chamber of the brain was where she knew she would end up using most of her skills. There was more work to do on the design intended for a new life of memories, not only for herself but also those of the people she would be in contact with.
Ookawa was still chanting the incantation effortlessly with her necklace helping to conduct the energy flow, when she began the hardest of the work for the next 50 years.
- - - - - - - - - -------------------------------- - - - - - - - - - -
A large gust of freezing wind blew through the town street, rattling all the shutters and blasting through the trees. The rain pounded hard onto the concrete side walk, causing the young man to curse loudly, then attempt to shield his face from the icy cold.
“I can’t wait to get home and dry off! This weather is dreadful!” Ronin angrily muttered to himself through the scarf wrapped around his neck and mouth. When he noticed something…no someone lying in the middle of the road.
“What the…! Hey, are you ok! Hello!”
He ran to the side of the young woman in the road. Luckily for her the street here was no longer used due to construction that has never been completed, otherwise she would have easily been run over.
Ronin checked her pulse and could tell it was slow but steady. Gently he lifted her head onto his lap so she wouldn’t be completely on the cold, dirty road and draped his coat around her soaked body. He had never seen this girl before and assumed she must be new in town. He started to check the pockets of her jeans as politely as one could while trying to find some form of ID.
While inspecting her left pocket he felt a warm hand on his cheek. Ronin looked down to find himself staring straight into the face of what he could only register as an angel with a warm smile.
The angel, as he referred to her as, spoke in a placid and quite voice “My name is Kiyoko, I got lost two days ago and my family is probably worried. Please take me home”.
She smiled and her eyes fluttered shut. She had lost consciousness again.
Ronin had thought she answered rather properly and almost mechanically for someone who kept coming in and out of the world of the living or anyone in general, but overlooked this somewhat strange observation.
Unfortunately, the girl had failed to give him her address. So he made sure the coat was secure and proceeded to lift her up and take her to the police station, which was thankfully only a block from where they had been.
Ronin looked back down into her face as he headed toward the station. She was smiling. His train of thought began to wonder as he decided she must be the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. She had long jet black hair and her aqua eyes were mesmerizing. However he did notice now that her clothes were actually a little odd. She appeared to be wearing old jeans and a light-weight short sleeved shirt. It’s winter! …but…she does look really pretty.
Nevertheless, Ronin didn’t have time to continue dwelling on his hormones, much to his disappointment, since they had now arrived at the doors of the police station.
He waited patiently for someone to come and help him, with Kiyoko lain upon the seat beside him. A tall man in his late thirties or early forties came out a few minutes after they had gotten there and instantly his face lit up when he saw the girl laying on the bench.
“It’s the girl! Guys come out here! It’s that girl the couple was looking for earlier! You know the one with the aqua colored eyes…she’s here!” The man was ecstatic and came over to Ronin to ask him a few questions.
“So boy, what happened?”
Although the man’s tone seemed a little accusing Ronin answered anyway.
“I was walking home from work, when I saw someone lying in the middle of the road. I came over and she was just…there without a coat or any warm clothing. I was looking for some ID when she woke up and told me her name was Kiyoko and she had gotten lost two days ago. She asked me to take her home, but failed to give any address before she lost consciousness again. So I brought her here.”
“Hmmm. Well, this is her alright. Her parents were in here this morning telling us she had gone missing when she went out and they hadn’t seen her since. I better give them a call. You should stay here so you can personally tell them what happened; I think they would like to know.”
“Ok. Can I call my folks and tell them I’ll be late?”
“Sure, phone’s over there.”
- - - - - - - - - -------------------------------- - - - - - - - - - -
Her parents were overjoyed when they saw Kiyoko, who had woken up when the pair arrived.
“Thank you so much young man” her mother said to Ronin, while her father merely gave him an encouraging smile. They walked over to the desk to get any further information. Kiyoko then turned to face Ronin.
“Thank you.” She said smiling softly; he felt his stomach do a full blown somersault. She came closer to him and much to Ronin’s elated surprise, gently placed a light kiss on his cheek.
In his ear she whispered. “…Tatsujun…” Her hot breath was cascading over his ear and down his neck, furthermore her lips were inches away from grazing his skin…it was virtually killing him.
He really wanted to push her silky black hair behind her ear and hold her in his arms forever. When she had finally pulled away from his face, she blinked rapidly looking at him with a progressively more confused look than she had worn a few seconds ago.
“Did…did I just say something?”
“Uh…no...?”
Regrettably, he hadn’t really been listening to her; his hormones had yet again gotten the better of his other senses.
“You should get some rest you’re probably very tired.” He exhaled in relief, while in the corner of his eye he saw her eyes close as she started to fall forward. Ronin lunged for Kiyoko, catching her before she had collided with the ground. Her parents came over quickly and her father took her up in his arms.
“She’s unconscious again and is most likely very weak…she should have plenty of rest.” He thought he must have sounds like a complete idiot. It’s not like he was some sort of doctor.
“Thank you for your concern and helping us get our daughter back.” Her mother smiled at him, but it wasn’t the same smile as Kiyoko’s…neither was her father’s. He thought that was a little out of the ordinary, but disregarded the thought as they left the building.
- - - ------- - - -
As Ronin walked home all he could think of was her warm smile, black hair, aqua eyes, and…her kiss. He unconsciously brought his hand to touch the spot on his cheek where her lips had been. It was still warm…when he realized how stupid that was he found himself coming face to face with a young man about his age. However he looked anything but friendly at the moment, in fact he looked down right furious.
“WHAT DID YOU DO TO KIYOKO!”
This guy’s question had thrown him out of his daydreams and into an utter sense of confusion and misunderstanding. Not only had this guy just appeared out of no where, but Ronin had never met him and the guy was already yelling at him.
“What are you talking about?! I’ve never met you before!”
“You may not know me, but I know of you…Ronin right? The second year pretty boy. I know all about you. You date the prettiest girl you can find then dump her if she doesn’t give you what you want! You’re such a pervert!”
This guy was ticked. But he had it all wrong.
“Slow down. First of all, I don’t appreciate the name calling here. And you really need to get your facts straight, dude. The girls I date just end up being dull or bizarre. That’s why I dump ‘em.”
“Well then don’t date ‘em in the first place. It’s not like it takes a genius to figure that out.”
Ronin was getting the feeling this guy didn’t like him very much.
“I date them to be fair. They ask me; turning them down would be rude so I give them a chance. It’s not my fault they always turn out the same.”
“Yeah, yeah, fine, whatever. I believe you...” The guy didn’t seem like he actually believed Ronin at all. “So, Kiyoko, you found her did you.” He seemed to be irritated that he had not only just exploded in the middle of the road but also found out all his devious information was fictitious.
“Yeah. She’s fine now; her parent’s just took her home.”
“Thanks for finding her…I guess.”
“You’re welcome…? Sorry, umm but what’s your name? You’re a first year, right?”
“Name’s Kihaku, yeah I’m a first year. What of it?”
“Nothin, so Kihaku… are you the boyfriend?” Kihaku defiantly blushed a little, but Ronin ignored it…he just wanted to know if Kiyoko was taken or not.
“No! …we have been friends since we were little. I always look out for her; she tends to be a little too adventurous.”
“Oh. Well, ok. I guess I’ll see you in school tomorrow then?”
“Whatever.” He bypassed Ronin and trudged off down the sidewalk.
That had to be the weirdest conversation Ronin had ever had with another guy. No…anyone. He turned around after watching Kihaku walk down the path towards what was most likely Kiyoko’s home. He tried not to dwell on his strange meeting with Kihaku; instead he kept visualizing the only thing in his head at the time. Her warm smile and aqua eyes.
