Keep It a Secret Between Us

"Wah! It's Jun!"

"Hoho, our top student looks so dignified! Welcome home, brother!"

"Come in! Come in! Teacher, quick, sit down too!"

While people were still scrambling to get to both Teacher Takaki and Jun, Himari and Nanako didn't join them.

In the merriment of the private room, the eyes of the two people who used to love each other were locked together.

As Himari didn't move her eyes away from him, Jun also was looking at her quietly. His gaze pierced through the crowd, finding her.

In a second, Himari thought she saw the man's eyes reddened before Jun became the first one to break their eye contact.

Himari blinked, regaining her senses then she lowered her gaze to the floor.

In the few minutes that their eyes met, she could see that he had matured into a fine young man. Jun, who already had good looks, seemed like he had his appearance turned more gentlemanly.

But, she didn't feel her heart fluttered with adoration when she saw him.

"Are you okay?" Nanako asked in a quiet mouth. Brows almost knitted together due to her worrying about her friend.

Himari gave her a faint smile, "Better than I have expected."

She was speaking the truth.

While Himari was afraid her resolve would crumble at the sight of Jun who she had loved once, it didn't happen.

She was lying to herself if she said her emotions weren't fluctuating the first moment she saw him but, maybe it was nothing more than due to her nerves.

Himari couldn't help but think, where did all the fluttering feelings she had toward him go?

Did she actually really had let go of all of her love for him?

Or, would the feelings return if she let the memories that she suppressed lingered in her mind?

That was something that she still hadn't had the answer to.

Soon, the people sat in their respective seats.

The dinner was served buffet-style so people often came and went to get the food. Befitting its status as a five stars hotel, all of the food was scrumptious and delicately served.

The dinner was filled with chatters of people who hadn't met each other for years.

"Hey, I heard that you got promoted this year. Congratulations!"

"Do you know, sometimes I feel like I want to smack my boss for making things hard on us! He is so deliberate!"

"My boyfriend's mother wants us to buy a house near her home in the suburb but, if possible, I want to stay in the city center."

"I went to Albania after visiting Greece. Different experiences and cultures but they are wholesome memories to me."

"Hey, hey! Didn't you get engaged with her? Why did it get called off?"

"Why did you buy that car? It's so cheap! The car doesn't suit you!"

"My sister crashed into my apartment because she ran away from home. What's wrong with her? Not grown-up enough?"

Some had matured throughout the years, filled with confidence and humility as well as compassion.

Some chose to stay ignorant as they boasted their achievements like they were the best in everything and competed with one another.

That was what Himari concluded as she silently stayed in her seat with Nanako.

From the beginning until now, she didn't have to worry about being disturbed by Jun. Almost all of their classmates wanted to talk to him as he was the most accomplished one in their class.

"Don't you miss living abroad? You have been there for three years, man!"

"Jun, why don't you stay there for a few years, cultivating more experiences? If I was you, I'd regret coming back early."

"When would you really start teaching at the university? Does the offer brings many benefits to you?"

"You've grown more handsome, brother! Teach us how to at least have your kind of style! Girls would absolutely love it!"

Whenever he went, either to get his food at the buffet table or sit down with his close friends, people flocked over to him.

The praises flowed out of their mouths nonstop. Some were sincere while some sounded a bit envious.

"Jun, Jun, you have quite some space left at your right. Move aside a bit, let Kikyo sit next to you! Eh, Himari! Why don't you come to join us too?"

Himari turned a deaf ear when she heard Tomoko subtly mocking her when the latter pushed Kikyo to sit close to Jun. The graceful Kikyo smiled shyly at Jun even though the man just gave her a polite nod.

Childish.

"Do you want anything else?" Nanako stared at Himari's plate that had been emptied by her friend, "I want to go and get the baked macaroni. Do you fancy some?"

"Perfect," Himari grinned. She had totally ignored the annoying Tomoko, "Take some for me. Oh, don't forget the special sauce."

"Got it."

Nanako pushed her chair and walked to the buffet table. Different kinds of food were served there; sweet, savory, salty or spicy. They could just choose whichever one that they liked.

Aside from the sound of people talking nonstop, a few of them had started singing.

The one who was celebrated, Teacher Takaki was swarmed by a group of people at the center round table. Himari had just greeted her shortly before she was pushed by the people who also fancied the retired English teacher.

Before she went to meet Kazuya, she had to properly talk with Teacher Takaki.

LINE~

Himari blinked. She put down the glass of passion fruit juice on the table once she heard the notification. Her eyes flickered with delight at the sight of the familiar name.

She forgot to ask if Kazuya had arrived here or he had already feasted on the delicious food of the hotel restaurant. He did say he would take his own sweet time savoring the food.

That man sent her a photo.

[Kazuya: FullTable.jpg]

[Kazuya: If Chiharu knew I came here alone, she would certainly launch a cold war with me]

[Kazuya: Keep it a secret between us ;)]

The photo was of the spread of plates on a square table. All of them looked as scrumptious as the ones at the buffet table.

[Himari: They look as if they could feed three people]

[Himari: I didn't know that you have a good appetite]

[Himari: Now I know from who Chiharu learns to be gluttonous]

His next reply easily made her laughed.

[Kazuya: Haven't you heard this saying?]

[Kazuya: Life is full of uncertainties. So, relax and eat delicious food first]

[Kazuya: MoonBoySmirk.jpg]

"Hahaha~"

Himari covered her mouth. Her body shook with laughter. Even though various kinds of sounds filled this private room, she still had to mind her laugh.

[Himari: Well, Mr. Moon Boy, your reasoning sounds credible enough]

[Himari: I'd take your advice dearly]

[Kazuya: You won't regret following my advice]

[Kazuya: Let's enjoy our food]

[Kazuya: MoonBoyToastWine.jpg]

Once again, Himari laughed happily.

"What makes you laugh?" asked Nanako who had just returned with the food.

Aside from baked macaronies and the special sauce, she took some desserts as well. The colorful desserts would certainly hook someone with a sweet tooth.

Himari broke into a grin, "Nothing."

She focused back on the phone. Her fingers deftly wrote another reply.

[Himari: The roast chicken is juicy. I just have it earlier. The lemon sauce perfectly complements it]

Among the food that Kazuya ordered, one of them was roasted chicken like the one served at the buffet table. Himari had just one piece of it and she was delighted by its taste.

[Himari: I hope you'd enjoy it as well]

[Himari: Oh ya, I'd go to talk to my teacher first before leaving. I'll tell you once I'm done]

[Kazuya: MoonBoyOK.jpg]

[Kazuya: MoonBoyEating.jpg]

Himari's lips were still curled up even after she put down the phone. She happily ate the baked macaroni that Nanako got for her.

The macaroni was full of spice~ The sauce was tangy and sweet~ The crust was crispy and salty~

Everything was perfect!

Nanako stared at her friend with narrowed eyes. She was confused why did Himari appear to be so cheerful right now.

Who was it that texted her?

"Is that Mr. Hayashi?" She made a random guess.

Himari almost choked. She looked at Nanako in disbelief, "How could you tell?"

"Heh," Nanako gave Himari a meaningful smile, "You guys have just known each other in less than a month yet look at you now, you're so comfortable with him."

Himari downed a glass of juice under Nanako's playful gaze.

"...Well, it seems so," Himari admitted. She finished the last bite of her macaroni.

If Nanako asked her why did she feel comfortable with him, Himari didn't know how should she answer her friend.

It was just... Little by little, he felt so familiar to her.

Maybe it was because of his warm personality?

Or, maybe it was because Chiharu acted to bridge the two of them?

Either one, it was a good reason.

While Himari was talking to Nanako, someone had been watching her since way before.

His eyes were filled with complicated feelings; sorrow, deep yearning, thoughtful and disbelief.