Surrounded by dozens of other students, the class board was
hard to get to, or so the two boys thought. Attending a mixed school, boys and
girls intermingled to gain confidence around each other. Away for the summer
holiday, most students didn’t come in contact with each other, due to most
attending different camps and activities. A small voice came from the back of
the crowd, asking permission to get through to the front. The first few times,
the voice called out, it was ignored. Finally after a tap on the shoulder to a
student in the crowd, the voice was no longer ignored. The chatter of the
students slowly died down to a silent crowd. Each obnoxious student stopped and
stared at Maruki and Aiya.
Maruki tilted his head and looked around at the crowd of
silent spectators. His full pink lips parted in utter confusion. Silent squeaks
came, yet no words could be uttered. Maruki couldn’t figure out why everyone
was staring so intently,
“May we pass?” the small boy asked softly with a small
stutter. With that, the silent crowd parted quickly in a scuttle.
Maruki made a small sound and bowed his head to multiple
students as he passed them to get to the board. Aiya and Maruki scanned over
the list quickly, nervous with all the eyes on them still. A finger gliding
down the paper, name after name, Maruki finally found his and Aiya’s name.
Maruki clenched his fist and smiled at Aiya
“Yosha” the young teen cheered, looking up at his friend
“same class again Ai chan!” the two boys walked out of the crowd quickly and
headed off to the classroom they were assigned.
Throughout the day, and it was not yet noon, Maruki and Aiya
received many envelopes and invitations. Maruki ducked his head down at ever
possibility behind walls to hide from crowds of peers. Still young in the day,
and both were exhausted from running around. Maruki and Aiya’s last stop of
refuge was in the school auditorium lighting room, a place were no one would
think to look.
Sitting silently as they could, mere soft breathing could be
heard to each other, it was nearly an hour before Maruki decided to finally
speak.
“Ne, Ai chan, what is with everyone today?” in nothing but a
mere whisper, Maruki asked his friend softly “everyone is acting very weird”
concluding his thought himself, as well as answering his own rhetorical
question, Maruki looked away to a darkened black wall. The idea of middle
school was exciting, but if school would be like this everyday, Maruki thought
to himself that he might not want to continue.
Aiya ran his hand through his jet-black hair, a light groan
leaving his rose bud shaped lips.
“I don’t know Maa chan, I have never seen anyone act like
this before.” Confused about the entire situation, for Aiya was never one to be
the center of attention for good reasons, all he could do was huff at the
thought.
“The only place I have ever seen this was school Dramas on
the Television”
Maruki couldn’t help but laugh at Aiya’s cute remark about
the drama. To Maruki, this was not a drama, it was more like a nightmare, for
he never liked have attention on himself. Throughout the day so far, getting to
meet teachers, walking through the halls, drinking water from the fountain, was
more awkward then annoying due to all the google eyeing students.
The bell for class change was barely audible in the almost
sound proof, secluded room. Both boys looked at each other and sighed softly,
this was their last chance. A moment of silence past before they both rose to
their feet and dusted off their uniforms of any possible wrinkles. Exiting the
auditorium, one brave girl approached the two from a passing by crowd. Not even
having left the doorway of the auditorium, Maruki and Aiya were left standing
there with their hands in their pockets.
The young girls eyes darted from boy to boy, though Maruki
was short, the girl was still shorter. Feeling subordinate, the young girls
face lit up in a bright rose blush. Her eyes now darting to the floor, as well
the boys’ faces, a small slender finger twirled the small strand of hair that
hung in her face.
“Hello Hitomi kun, Kaore kun. Did you two enjoy your
vacation?” a small quiet mumble escaped the girls lips, in an apparent shaky
voice.
Both boys glanced at each other for a few moments, locking
eyes in a silent conversation. Nodding in agreement, they silently answered the
girl’s question. Slowly, their gaze returned to the girl and crowd in front of
them. She lowered her head, and took a calming deep breath,
“You two look different from the last time I saw you”
Dancing around the subject was not a normal action for a popular student.
Once again the boys looked at each other, her words seemed
to have caught their attention. Not only was she talking to them, an occurrence
that never happened in the prior school year, but she was also attempting to
compliment them. Aiya nodded his head in a questionable manner
“I got a hair cut not too long ago?” the young black haired
boy said, hopefully answering her question.
Quickly the girl clapped her hands together, making a small
noise. She agreed with Aiya for only a moment before letting her brows furrow,
contemplating what Aiya had just said. The girls round, almost black eyes fell
to her fiddling fingers. Nothing ran through Maruki’s and Aiya’s head but
confusion. A small nervous chuckle came from the girl as she tossed her hair
and looked back up at the boys. She knew if she didn’t say anything in the next
three seconds, they would most likely leave.
“No, its not that.” The girl paused in awe for a moment
“it’s just that.” The girl could not finish a sentence from sheer
embarrassment.
Maru placed a hand on his hip, he knew what was going on and
it began to frustrate him. A gentle toss of his thin hair, and a quick lick of
Maruki’s full lips allowed a small sigh to pass. With his hands at his sides,
Maruki tapped Aiya’s thigh with the back of his hand to catch his attention. He
silently noted to Aiya he was leaving, knowing where the girl was going with
her thought, Maruki didn’t have time for her.
The girl needed to stop Maruki from walking away, she
reached out for his shoulder to stop him, but refused herself to touch him.
“You both are very handsome now” the girl was obviously
nervous now, her rapid, high-pitched squeak spoke more then she did. She
quickly stepped back to her group of friends, not feeling as safe anymore. Her
thoughts of what the two would think of her now were going crazy.
Aiya looked at the girl, stunned. His narrow, lined eyes
were wide with surprise. Quickly he looked to his friend with the same look of
confusion. The suggestion of the haircut was much less awkward then this, why
could she not just agree to it? Ai was still shocked at the girl’s statement,
knowing now why everyone was acting weird all day. Ai was never good with
compliments, even more so if they were coming from the popular students. The
group of peers that hated these two the prior year, were now following them
around like a fan group.
Constant insults of appearance and intelligence, rumors
spread from the last school. The year’s before memories would not be erased so
easily from such a simple compliment. He took Aiya’s forearm and pulled him
along. Looking back at the girl, his round eyes narrowed darkly. Maruki’s hand
slid down to Aiya’s when he looked forward again
“Thank you for your honesty, Miyuki” Maruki’s shoulder
shifted slightly, brushing the girl off. He almost roughly pulled Aiya off to
their last class of the day.
Having turned the corner and walked a little ways, Aiya
ripped his arm from Maruki’s grip.
“Maruki!” a silent whisper so no others would hear, a voice
chased after his only and best friend who stood ahead of him/ he looked sternly
at Maruki, waiting for him to turn around.
Maruki slowed his step before coming to a complete stop.
“Do you remember what they said about you last year Ai?” a
small sigh and soft eyes, took Aiya’s breath away. It was back, the one thing
Aiya loved so much about Maruki, his care and protection.
“Now they notice you? Because of what, you’ve grown taller?
You gained muscle and are losing your baby look? No. Aiya, you deserve better
than that” Maruki’s stern, yet tender tone came from the heart, he didn’t want
anything bad to happen to his only friend.
Aiya froze, it was difficult to keep from tearing up. Maruki
was right, that group of friends threatened him badly the year before. Now that
they called him handsome, they want him to be their friend. Aiya was an easily
trustworthy person, he trusted everyone for their word, up until he was given a
reason not to, even then he would still trust them in fear of losing them. Aiya
was like a puppy, even if he was yelled at or hurt, he would still keep coming
back.
Aiya sighed softly, looking down at Maruki. He slowly placed
a hand on his shoulder and took a step passed him, talking over his shoulder
“Thank you Maa chan” Saying anymore then a simple thank you
couldn’t be done, fighting back from crying was hard enough as it was. Maruki
was right anyways, there was no point in arguing with him, and there was
nothing to question. In his mind, Aiya wanted to protest and argue, just to
hear more of Maruki’s caring, straightforward words, but he refused.
Maruki kept a close eye on Aiya, his lips parted slightly
with the passion to say more but he decided to remain silent and keep his mouth
shut. Maruki’s dark round eyes leaded him to turn and follow Aiya quietly.
Their last class was Science, not Maruki’s favorite subject, but it was Aiya’s.
He loved it, something about the theories and experiments made him fall in love
with it at a young age.
The two boys ignored the banters and mumbles as they lead
themselves to the second building. With only seconds to spare, they had made it
into their seats before the second bell rang. Sitting in the back quietly,
Maruki’s arms were folded across his chest. Aiya sat next to him, propped up
properly and neat. His soft eyes glanced over every once in a while to Maruki
cutely. Maruki was so serious, staring at the front of the classroom, waiting
for the teacher.
The sensei tapped her papers back into an organized pile
before setting them back on the table at the entrance of the classroom. She
cleared her throat to begin her opening speech.
“Welcome to First year Science everyone. I hope you all had
an enjoyable summer, but as of now, there will be little room for fun and
games.” Sensei spoke as she took her spot at the small desk at the front of the
class “This is science everyone, meaning there will be new material everyday,
home study issued three times a week, and experiments every Thursday.” The
sensei explained the basics of the layout for the semester in one sentence.
Maruki kept his eyes down, staring at the surface of the
desk, his arms still folded across his small chest. He planned on staying
silent as long as he possibly could. So far, the class was going smoothly, role
call was done, requiring only his name. The first pretest was finished with
ease, and the experimental pairing was finished, he obviously chose Aiya for
his partner.
The last bell rang, class was out already, and the freedom
to retreat early was at hand. Maruki had waited for everyone to leave the room
before he even decided to get up. Seeing Maruki wait, Aiya chose to as well,
not wanting to leave alone. Aiya’s eyes were locked on Maruki, he unconsciously
bit his bottom lip in thought, wondering what Maruki was thinking to make him
want to stay behind.
Sensei was gathering all her material together before she
was to return to Teacher’s Office. With their immobility, she hardly noticed
the two sitting there
“Oh, boys. Is something concerning you?” sensei asked moving
towards their desks
Maruki was intelligent, bright, friendly, and in the eyes of
his peers, he was also good looking. With all that, it was not hard to see,
that Maruki was also very emotional. Without looking at his sensei, he pushed
himself up and walked out of the classroom quickly. Though he left Aiya sitting
in the classroom alone, he waited for him downstairs at the main entrance of
the building.
Aiya bowed to the sensei that was stunned to see a student
dart out of the room so quickly. Aiya left the building so see Maruki leaning
against the stonewall railing to the stairs. Ai moved down the stairs slowly,
next to Maruki. He looked over silently, not sure of what to say.
Though Aiya decided not to speak, Maruki did. Without
looking at his best friend, Maruki spoke with a quiver in his voice.
“You still have feelings for her, don’t you Aidou?” looking
over his shoulder to the other, Maruki sighed softly
Aiya froze once again, Maruki always knew how to make him
breathless.
“Aidou? He repeated softly “you haven’t called me that for
years” Ai whimpered softly. It was a short period of time, that the nickname
lasted, but it meant the world to Aiya. Only him and Maruki knew the meaning
behind it. “Ai” written in Kanji, and “Dou” Spelled in Hiragana.
Moments of silence passed between the two, Aiya then nodded
in shame to Maruki, biting his lip softly
“I do, Maa chan” Aiya had feeling for Miyuki ever since she transferred to their school in mid-elementary school. Aiya stared at Maruki for a moment, Maruki didn’t say anything at all, leading him to the thought that he was mad.
“Maruki, please don’t be mad” walking around him to face him, Aiya sighed softly
“I do, Maa chan” Aiya had feeling for Miyuki ever since she transferred to their school in mid-elementary school. Aiya stared at Maruki for a moment, Maruki didn’t say anything at all, leading him to the thought that he was mad.
“Maruki, please don’t be mad” walking around him to face him, Aiya sighed softly
Maruki kept his eyes off of Aiya for only a moment, focusing
on the grass that blew gently in the small breeze. His round, almost sad eyes
raised to meet Aiya’s.
“It’s not that I’m mad at you, Aidou” after a short pause,
Maruki suddenly hugged Aiya, holding him tightly “you are my best friend, and I
cant stand seeing a pretty girl hurt people, especially you, because they see
it as entertainment.” Sadness of harsh past memories was flooding Maruki’s
mind. Ai’s birthday party, the school hiking trip, summer camp, the grocery
store incident, Maruki may not have been there for all of Ai’s embarrassing
moments, all caused by Miyuki, but he did know about them. Remembrances of
these vivid memories were painful sometimes.
Ai was shocked by Maruki’s sudden actions, his heart filled,
plainly obvious words brought a tear to Ai’s eye, and left a hard bump in his
throat.
“Maruki, please.” It was something he knew Maruki didn’t
want to remember, he was like a big brother, though he was younger than him. He
always looked out for him and cared for him like an older brother should.
“she is just so beautiful” he whimpered softly into Maruki’s
shoulder, tear soaking into his uniform.
Maruki let go of Aiya quickly, sighing softly. His glassed
over eyes looked down
“there are going to be many more girls, Aidou, nicer girls” a heart filled, friend to friend talk about girls would be in the near future, Maruki could see it.
“there are going to be many more girls, Aidou, nicer girls” a heart filled, friend to friend talk about girls would be in the near future, Maruki could see it.
“you need to understand that” being too serious sometimes
was an occurrence for Maruki, he would to anything to keep Aiya from Dating
Miyuki if it ever lead to that.
“she still hates you, she only wants to be around you now
because you matured so quickly over the summer.” Maruki’s eyes narrowed,
staring at Aiya.
“she wants to be around you because you look good, not
because she likes you” it was easily written all over Maruki’s face that he was
trying to keep himself from crying.
Ai didn’t like seeing Maru like this, he patted his shoulder
lightly a couple of times
“Let’s forget about this, okay?” Ai didn’t want to see a
single tear fall from Maruki’s eyes. Aiya puffed out his cheeks and crossed his
eyes. Over all, he looked rather goofy. Maruki couldn’t help but smile. With a
little sniffle, Maruki nodded in agreement. Releasing the air from his cheeks,
Aiya smiled at Maruki
“That’s good. Maru. That’s what I like to see.” Ai poked
Maruki’s cheeks softly, and pulled his lips higher in a wider smile.
No comments:
Post a Comment