eCre Orang am• Act. 6
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he news that Fujiwara and I were dating spread all over the institute in no time. All it took for the two of us was to have lunch together for three days in a row to make an incredible idle talk. «Just let them go», Misato smiled at me and brought her chopsticks holding a roll near my lips. «They’ll quit it soon, trust me» I opened my mouth biting the tidbit: «It’s delicious! Pork, vegetables and…?» «Ginger sauce to season the batter» «You made this, too?» «Yes», my girlfriend caressed me with her eyes, leaving me speechless as usual. «Oh, damn! Is there anything you can’t do, Captain?», blurted out Yukino sitting next to us. «All of this is very frustrating», she sighed looking sorrowful at her bento. «Don’t say that, I’m sure that Miyuki will teach you a lot of wonderful recipes during the cooking club», Misato winked at her. «Want some?», she asked her gently and she didn’t have to ask her twice. «You’re so generous, Fujiwara-san!», cried out Yukino putting her chopsticks into the abundant lunch of the Iroku’s panther. «Oh, come on, Yukino-chan, don’t stuff yourself like that!», I tried to stop her. «Don’t you dare, Miyuki-chan! You can get the Captain’s attentions all for yourself, you can’t be jealous if she offers me a bit of her food!» «You’re hopeless», I brought a hand on my face embarrassed. «Please, excuse her», I said to Misato. «For what? Yukino-san is so full of life, all the girls of our age should be like her» «See?», puffed up my friend blushing on the cheeks. I got back to my dish amused: I liked the relationship which had been created among the three of us. It had been only two weeks since Misato and I got together and everything in my life had suddenly changed: when that day I kissed her in the middle of street and she held me, not caring of anyone who could see us, a huge burden slipped away all at once from my chest. 124
«Hey, girls, can I join you?», the newcomer drew our attention. «Yamato, what’re you doing here?», I was surprised looking him up and down. «I’m all alone, having lunch. My friends left me», he said sitting between Yukino and Misato. Actually, It was very clear to me the reason why he was there. «I saw that here you push some bento. Can I bum, too?», he asked to Misato who darkened in her face instantly. «Go ahead», she brought the dish to him without even looking at him in face. «Damnit, you never get lost in the school, do you?», snorted Yukino annoyed. «Yukino-chan!», the boy stroke her head. «You’re so pretty when you get mad», he laughed. «Don’t treat me like a fool!», she revolted against him, but despite that comic scene I noticed of how Misato was upset. «Shouldn’t you be with Asakawa, right now?», she asked out of the blue. «Err… no, uhm… Actually, I’ve been wanting to explain to you how things are for days, but you don’t do anything but ignoring me», replied Yamato. «You don’t have to explain me anything. It’s none of my business» Suddenly there was an awkward silence. Yukino glanced uncertain at me and I shrugged not knowing what stand to take. «So, why don’t you talk to me anymore?», the boy insisted getting serious all of a sudden. «Because I have nothing to say to you», cut short Misato. Yamato lowered his head on his lunch and decided to eat silently. «This is intense», sighed Yukino. «May I know what’s going on?» Neither of them replied, they were both with their head bowed on their dishes. «Yamato-kun, could you tell me how things are really between you and Asakawa?», I asked drawing immediately the attention of the three of them. 125
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«Sure… Miyuki-chan. You see, when we met in front of the gym last time, Rei and I had just finished to sort it out», he seized the moment. «Sort things out, sure!», Misato scowled at him. «It’s the truth!» «You’re still the same liar!» «Hey, guys, please», I stepped in. «Can we talk this over?» «I’d do it, but she’s convinced herself that Rei and I were closed in the warehouse for other reasons, well away from talking» «Uh-Uh!», Yukino was startled, snapping to attention and waiting to listen that new gossip. «Can you blame me?», Misato got nervous. «You let that bitch manipulate you till now. It’s natural that I’m prejudiced», she concluded. «No, that’s not true…», the boy lowered his head. «I was mistaken. Rei has nothing to do with it», he revealed leaving silent all of us. «Don’t you say!», Misato replied skeptical. «Yeah…», he continued, though. «I asked her a date, I wanted to talk to her in peace, but seeing how both of us draw the attention, we chose to lock in inside the only place where we knew no one would interrupt us» Yukino sighed with relief; something was telling me that she wouldn’t like to change her opinion about our class rep. I felt something stirring inside my stomach again, though. «So… you just make things clear?», I started off before Misato’s astonished eyes, who probably didn’t get my interest in that story. «We talked about our relationship, about what made me choose to break up with her and…», Yamato crossed my eyes. «After you rejected me, Miyuki… I went back», he admitted leaving Misato and Yukino openmouthed. «I was hurt and maybe, like Rei made me realize, I just wanted to be comforted», he lowered his eyes embarrassed. «Did she do it?», I asked feeling my blood boil in my veins. «Did she… comfort you?» «No, absolutely not», he lifted his look facing me. «Rei was different than usual» «What do you mean?», I pressed. 127
«She was kind… sympathetic», he explained. «She told me I need to find a good girl who stays by my side the way I want, then she thanked me for the time we spent together. I never saw her like that» «Ryo! Aren’t you ashamed to tell these thing to Miyuki? You confessed to her just two weeks ago, remember?», Misato stepped in huffy. «What does that have to do with it? Miyuki has decided to be with you. I consider her a friend by now», he snorted baffling us all. «You’re hopeless», Misato shook her head starting to eat again. «Why?», replied the boy with a face like he was dismayed. «The Captain is saying that you’re acting like a fickle person», Yukino stepped forward. «You break up with the class rep, then you confess to Miyuki, you strike out with her and go back to your ex. Don’t you think this is at least a bit of a frivolous behavior?» «What should I do?», Yamato got nervous. «If it was someone else I wouldn’t step aside, and I’d try to win Miyuki-chan’s love, but because it’s Misato… I had to let it go. I wouldn’t tangle with her!» «Maybe, it’s because you don’t like Miyuki-chan that much», insisted Yukino. «I’m not the only one acting like that. There’s someone who don’t even have the courage to confess to spare a friend’s feelings», he exclaimed, leaving her with no chance to reply. «I came back to Rei in a moment of weakness. But that’s a far cry from being frivolous!», he became gloomy. «Nobody wanted to hurt your feelings», Misato cut it short annoyed. «Anyway… it’s better this way that things with Asakawa has ended like that. At least, you’ll be more present and focused during weekly practice», she glared at him. «Misato-chan, please, stop fighting. I can’t take it anymore», the boy went closer to her. «Can we make peace?», he insisted regretful. «You’re annoying, you know that?», replied Misato pushing him away. «I tell him every time», sighed Yukino smirking. My mind was filled with thoughts about that conversation again all day long and, inevitably, I ended up staring at Rei who was quietly sitting at her desk: 128
“It would be nice to make up with her like Yamato and Fujiwara did this morning”, I fretted. The mental picture of the two of us as children playing in a great yard appeared leaving me confused. «Hey, Miyuki-chan, the bell rang», Yukino woke me up from my thoughts. «Shall we go home together?» «Okay. Misato told me to not wait for her. She’s beginning the preparations for the entrance exams to college», I closed my bag and followed my friend. The sun was reddening the rooftops of the houses and in the air you could breathe a strong smell of flowers. «June is just around the corner», sighed Yukino. «What will you and the Captain do for summer vacation?» «We haven’t talked about it yet», I replied languid. «Hey, what a joy!», she jumped out in front of me. «Miyuki-chan, I know why you’re feeling like this» «Really?», I looked at her confused. «Of course, it has to do with what happened this morning», she darkened in the face. «It’s cause of those two, isn’t it?» «Did you notice something that I missed?» «When Yamato intervened in our conversations, I always judged a little egocentric and annoying, but now…», she paused. «He gets on my nerves! And what’s worse is the captain seems to be influenced by him!» «Actually, you have a point», I mulled to myself. «Yamato does always things that bother Fujiwara», she continued. «First, he hooks up with Asakawa to annoy her, because, as you may have noticed, the class rep and the captain can’t stand each other. Then, he make a pass at you since Fujiwara laid her eyes on you» «Actually, I knew Yamato before the captain. Or rather, it was just him who insisted that I join the team» «Maybe… or maybe not», Yukino narrowed her eyes. «With all due respect, Miyuki-chan, I don’t think that he cares about you and Asakawa that much» «Are you saying that who Yamato truly likes… is Misato?» 129
«It gave me that idea», confirmed Yukino. «He always do anything to show off with her» «Well, they haven’t spoken for two weeks. He wanted to make up with her. It’s not that I’m defending him, but maybe I’d do the same, too» «Yeah, but why did he have to do it right when you were together? Honestly, I admit I’ve been in the way, too, these days, but… why couldn’t he wait for practice to speak with her?» «It looked like he wanted our support», I mulled. «Anyway, Misato also has a strange attitude towards him. I think… she’s jealous of him» «I had that impression, too», Yukino nodded. «And don’t tell me that this doesn’t bother you» «I don’t think I have the right to interfere in their relationship, you know?» «The fact that they’re childhood friends doesn’t mean that they have the right to do what they want, and then… there’s something else that concerns me», my friend took a deep breath. «By keeping on making his odd speeches and, especially, on making himself out to be the victim in front of everyone, Yamato could get you, the class rep and the captain in trouble», she ended nervous. «What do you mean?» «He’s always showing off his personal matters, which wouldn’t be a problem if other people weren’t involved», she paused looking afar. «He’s exposing you all to gossips and people’s judgment, that way.» «Just don’t forget how many crazy fans Yamato has, besides those stupid friends of his» Come to think of it, it really seemed the plot of a romantic novel, where a too much naïve conspirator tried to reach an unattainable dream… “What if… Misato also likes her best friend without realizing it?”, I thought over it once I got home. I had a strange negative feeling that I didn’t recognize as normal jealousy. “I’ll ask her”, I decided within myself, dropping my clothes into the laundry hamper before entering the bath. “It’s better to know such things right away”, I got into the hot water, thinking that the next morning I could finally dedicated myself to that one thing that always made me feel good the most: baking sweets for my beloved Paradiso. 130
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*** That Saturday was a lot more than busy, not only because the pastry shop was rushed by customers in the weekend, but also because there was an unexpected visit at the shop. Clung into a wonderful burgundy outfit, which widely left bare the low neckline, beautiful and so different from when she wore the school uniform, Misato entered the room. In an instant she had all eyes on her. «Good morning, Miyuki», she smiled at me reaching the counter, and three gentlemen, who were drinking their coffee, moved to immediately make way for her. «What’re you doing here?», I blushed. «Surprise!», she winked. «Darn, I’m all messy», I muttered trying to fix my hair and the apron that I accidentally dirtied with some fruit juice. «Miyuki», she said quietly. «I know you’re working but, please, don’t be embarrassed or I’ll feel guilty to came by», she widened her lips in a charming smile which melted me instantly. «Okay, can I get you something?», I slightly coughed trying to pull myself together. «I’d like to have the orange cream cake. They told me that’s delicious», she pointed it and I hurried to cut her a slice, while my mother and the other girls, who were working with us, were busy with wrapping sweets for the customers. «It’s… delicious!», Misato clicked her tongue widening her eyes. «I’m glad you like it», I served her a cup of espresso. «You have to give me the recipe or rather…», she lift her look meeting my eyes. «Could you teach me how to make it?» «With great pleasure», I nodded in agreement. «You’re joining the cooking club?» Misato burst out laughing: «I was thinking about it, you know? At least, I’d have an excuse to see you more often» 132
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«So, what’s keeping you?», I teased her again. «You know it well. I have to prepare for the exams of third year and for the entrance exams to the universities I want to enroll at», she leaned her chin on her slender hand. «I’m still the captain of the basketball team, I’d like to take care of the girls till the very end» «This shouldn’t be a problem for you» «No, it wouldn’t… if someone gave me a hand» «Uh-uh, don’t try it», I stuck out my tongue and Misato burst out laughing again. “She’s so beautiful”, I lingered my eyes on her. I wonder if she was aware of her charm and how everyone were looking at her… my mother included: «Miyuki, is everything ok?» «Oh, yeah, Mom», I turned towards her. «I just finished to prepare what you asked, it’s back there, I was helping at the counter now» «I can see it», she gazed at Misato in a weird way. «This beautiful lady is a schoolmate of yours?» «Uh, yeah… she is…» «Nice to meet you, ma’am, I’m Misato Fujiwara», the captain slightly bowed . «I’m very fond of you daughter», she said with such sweetness that I could have hugged her in front of everyone. My mother, instead, didn’t say anything, she remained stiff in face and my heart started to beat faster: for a moment I thought that she had understood everything, but then I saw her smile and suddenly the tension was eased. «Nice to meet you, too. You’re welcome here», she turned towards me. «Why don’t you take a break and you two go to your room? I’ll get the rest of the breakfast Fujiwara-san ordered up there», she said surprising me. «I don’t want to be a bother», Misato hurried to say, embarrassed. «You’re not, on the contrary», my mother sighed. «This blessed girl has been up since half past five in the morning cooking and running around of the pastry shop. If you could make her rest a moment I’d be grateful», she winked at her laying a hand on my shoulder. «If you put it that way…», the captain smiled. I was really nervous, though. I didn’t have the time to tidy up my room: 134
«I’m sorry, you’ll find a bit of a mess», I snorted leading her up the stairs to the first floor. «No problem, I’m so happy» «Me too, but… you’re so beautiful today, and I am a total mess» Misato’s hand grabbed mine making me jolt. «Do you really… like me, dressed like this?», she asked while her cheeks were blushing. «Yes, of course», I blushed, too. «Come», I beckoned her to come in. «It’s lovely, I imagined your room just like this!», she commented. I quickly put some clothes scattered all over the room into the closet and just a second later my mother came in carrying to piece of cake and two smoking cups of tea. «Please Fujiwara-san, make yourself at home», she said bowing a little. «Mom!», I called her. «Are you sure you don’t need me anymore down there?» «There’s your father who’s giving us a hand in the back room», she reassured me. «Just relax a bit», she smiled leaving us alone. «Your mother was very kind. I feel a little guilty, now, for coming by all of a sudden», said Misato feeling mortified and sitting on the pillow in front of the small table at the center of the room. «You don’t have to», I sat down next to her. «Are you really up since half past five in the morning?» «Yep», I took my piece of cake. «But I’m not tired», I winked at her. «I know we were supposed to meet tomorrow but I wanted to ask you something and… I couldn’t wait», she lowered her eyes, nervous. «You have something to ask me?», I stared at her. «I need to talk to you about some things, too, you know?» «It’s about yesterday’s conversation, right?» I nodded. «Well, I think that turned out some… odd things, didn’t they?», started off Misato taking a sip of tea. «So it seems», I tried to find the right words. «What did you want to ask me?» 135
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«What kind of relationship do you and Asakawa have?», she chilled me. «Yesterday, you seemed a little too much worried about her», she insinuated leaving me speechless. «I would have been worried even if it was another girl», I hastened to explain. «It’s Yamato’s behavior that puzzles me. On reflection, there are many things that don’t add up» Misato stayed still with the cup of tea in midair. I pursed my lips and told her what I thought about that story all at once. The captain listened till the end without interrupting me. I was so anxious that I couldn’t even look at her in the face. «Ryo interested in me?», Misato burst out laughing. «Miyuki, that’s impossible! We’ve grown up together and I assure you that he and I have never even held hands when we were in kindergarten», she reassured me. «This has nothing to do with that, you… are always so involved in him», I clenched my hand on my knees. «You could have feelings you’re not aware of, yet, and… » «No, I have not», she interrupted me firm. «So, it’s about that? Did you have the impression I could be attracted to him?» «Well… err…», I hesitated. «Anyway, his behavior is unclear. He looks like he always wants to draw your attention», I avoided her gaze again. «He can’t do it», she put the cup of tea on the table coming closer to me. «Because you have all my attention», she said in a whisper before grabbing my face between her hands and kissing me. «Misato…», I pushed myself aside a bit to meet her eyes, but she trapped again my lips with hers leaving me breathless. «I like you, Miyuki», she stared me down. «Only you» «I believe you», I sink into her embrace. «So, you were worried about that, it had nothing to do with Asakawa?», she asked again. «The fact is…», I released myself from the hug, being anxious, I was uncertain to tell her the truth or not about what actually happened between Rei and me. «Asakawa’s mother and mine are old friend. They attended the same high school and they stayed on good term over all these years», I blabbered in the end. 137
«Does that mean that you two have known each other since when you were kids, too?», Misato was surprised. «In a way… We haven’t seen each other for so many years. At first, I didn’t recognize her», I lowered my head feeling guilty for that half-truth. «Though… I think I didn’t do anything wrong, yesterday», I tried to stand up for myself. «I didn’t want to blame you, I’m sorry», she took my hands in hers. «Maybe to you I seemed to harsh towards Asakawa, I’m sorry» «In a sense, yes», I looked her again. «It seems like you… hate her» Misato bit her lower lip and her expression stiffen up. «One day, I will tell to you about it, I you like», she said in a whisper. «But now, how about we finish the dessert and talk about other things?», she cut off. Fujiwara kept me company till lunch then she left. Apparently, it seemed that everything was sorted out, but we both knew that it wasn’t like that at all. “I lied to her… did she realize it?”, I felt like I was a worm for not telling her the whole truth, although what good would it be, in the end? I just wanted to forget what had happened with Rei on the rooftop of the school. It wasn’t necessary to make Misato feel bad by letting her know things that I didn’t want to care about anymore. “I have to make some new memories with her and leave everything else out… included Yamato”, I forced myself, thinking about what I could’ve wore the next day to go out with my girlfriend, then I heard someone knocking at the door: «Miyuki-chan, can I talk to you?», asked my mother coming into my room. «Sure, I’m sorry for this morning. I could give you a hand this afternoon, too, if you need me, I already did all my homework for the next week» «We don’t need it, but you can come down in the shop whenever you want», she said in a grimace, the she politely sat down in front of me scrutinizing me with a weird look on her face. «Did something happen?», I worried. «No, at all. I just need to ask you a question», she cleared her throat. «I was wondering if… Misato-san was just a friend or…», she left the sentence pending, catching me unprepared. 138
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«M-Mom, what are you asking?», I felt my face going on fire. «Yeah, well… I had the feeling that she wasn’t just a friend, is that so?», she strove to speak quietly even though she was clearly embarrassed. «Well… uhm…», I lowered my eyes, uncertain of what to reply. «If that’s the case, you’d have good taste. She’s a really beautiful girl, kind and polite», she rushed to say trying to draw my attention. «R-Really? I mean, it would be okay for you?», I stammered, afraid of the sudden judgment that was about to come. «Sure, it’s okay for me», she smiled. «It’s your life, my child, I just want you to be happy and to be with a good person, so…», she paused. «Invite your girlfriend to our home anytime you want, she’s welcome here!», she concluded with a look so gentle that my eyes welled up in tears. I don’t know how but I found myself between my mother’s arms, clenched to her neck, happy like I never was before in my whole life. ***
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Orange Cream di Scarlett Bell
with drawings by Aeryn Sun
English translation by Sakura21 from micettescans.blogfree.net Quality check by Kitsune
TO BE CONTINUED...
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