Full Moon

After that tragedy, I mean incident, our class was called inside a big room. All the boys were scolded by our homeroom teacher, while the girls were angry but quiet. Not everyone seemed to regret what they did, especially Jirai. The girls just gave us mean stares. The boys were all having the 'we didn't even see anything!' look. When it was over, the girls seemed pacified, since some of the boys apologized. As I was walking towards the door, I ran into Nariyuki and Hiroisora. They both had sad, or maybe, disappointed faces.

"Um... About that, I really can't say Jirai forced me-"

"If you wanted to see it that much, you could have just asked me..." Wha-what is Hiroisora talking about!?

"Huh? Uh-what are y-you talking a-about?"

"Hehehe. See, I told you! His face will turn red if you say something like that." Nariyuki... One day I'm going to get back at you for this.

"Sorry Takaiyama-kun! Nariyuki forced me to do it. It was funny, though. Hehe."

"Haha... No problem...?" Well, there is a problem. All the other guys inside heard what she said. If before my relationship with her was suspicious enough, now it's a full scale scandal.

Cover = blown.

---

After all that had happened, I wanted to get some fresh air. I decided to go to the outdoor garden. I sat down on a bench near a pond. The breeze was cold and the moon was beautiful.

"Now this is more like it..."

"Yeah..." Huh? Who was that? Someone was standing behind me.

"Hiroisora? Since when did you get there?" She's like a ninja, really.

"I was standing here the whole time."

"No, you weren't."

"Yes, I was."

"No." Wow. I didn't realize she had this playful... or stubborn side. Either way, it's cute.

"Haha. Ok. I give up. I saw you walking out here and I followed you."

"Should I file charges for stalking?"

"Sure."

"Haha. I'm not sure if I should take that seriously." She's funny as well.

"Please don't. Hehehe. By the way..." She sat beside me.

"Yes?" As I looked at her, she was staring at the moon. The moonlight was shining down on her face. It's really the first time I thought she's beautiful. Well, maybe I did before, but this time I felt something different.

"It seems like you can speak to girls now without stuttering."

"Oh." I didn't expect her to say something like that. "Really? Now that you mention it... Well, maybe not every girl."

"It's still a big step. I'm happy for you." She said to me while smiling.

"Maybe I should rethink those stalker charges..."

"Hahaha. Maybe you should." We continued to talk a while longer, laughing at the silliest things. I almost wished the night wouldn't end...

---

Hiroisora got a little bit sleepy and went ahead of me. I stayed a little bit longer. I wanted some time to think of the things we talked about. Was it true that I was stuttering less now? I'm really not sure. It was just Nariyuki I could talk to without stuttering. Now I can talk to Hiroisora as well. Maybe I did make progress.

I got sleepy shortly after that. I decided to go to my room. As I was walking in the hallway, I realized something. Why the heck didn't I make a move on Hiroisora?! It was the perfect opportunity! Darn it!

While I bathed with my feelings of regret, I entered our room. It was dark. I thought Jirai and the guys would still be awake. I guess they were tired. I went straight to bed. As I was dozing off, I could hear people talking loudly from outside, but didn't pay much attention to what they were saying. I slept like a log.

---

The next morning, when I woke up, I noticed I was alone inside the room. Damn those guys, they didn't even bother waking me up. Maybe they wanted the food all for themselves. I could see Jirai really wanting that. I was a bit late than the scheduled breakfast. A lot of students were already seated and eating. While I was walking to my designated seat, I heard people whispering and then heard my name.

"Hey, it's Takaiyama."

"Yeah. That bastard."

"He better not be walking alone, or else they won't find his body."

I could feel the tension is heavier than anything else I've experienced before. I asked Jirai what was happening.

"Hey, Jirai. What's going on? I feel like everyone is... angry. And they are staring at me."

"Not everyone. Just the guys." He answered me like he doesn't care.

"What do you mean?"

"He means you're in trouble." Nariyuki suddenly joined in on our conversation.

"Huh? Why is that?"

"Oh? Acting innocent now, are we?" What's with these accusations? Nariyuki is acting weird. Well, more than usual. "I suppose it wouldn't be a 'secret' if everyone knew about it. Who would've thought you were a smooth talker. Hehehe." What is she talking about?

"I don't think I understand what you're saying."

"Oh, just stop it, will you!" Jirai suddenly shouted. I think he's seriously angry. "Stop acting like you don't know anything!"

"What's your problem?! I said I don't know what is happening!" Everyone was already looking at me, but now it seems that they were paying attention to us. During the commotion, I noticed Hiroisora was also looking at me, but then looked away when she saw me looking at her.

"Ok guys. Finish your breakfast. We're leaving in ten minutes." One of the teachers announced from the front of the room. I still don't have answers.

---

While we were walking along the hallways towards the exit of the hotel, I was deep in thought. What the hell just happened?

"Hey Takaiyama-san." Nariyuki suddenly talked to me. I didn't notice she was there. "So, is it true? You can tell me, no need to hide it."

"What's true? I don't know what you're talking about."

"Seriously? You don't know?"

"Yeah. I kept on saying that since this morning."

"Oh." She seemed a bit surprised at my ignorance of this 'issue'. "Well, that you and Hiroisora are a couple now." I must still be sleepy. Did I hear that right?

"Come again? I think I'm still sleepy. I didn't hear that properly."

"You and Hiroisora are a couple now, right?"

"No."

"No?"

"No. I don't think so. So, it's a no."

"What?!"

"Hey, I should be the one who's supposed to be surprised. Where did that rumor come from, anyway?"

"Ever since last night, people were talking about someone seeing you and Hiroisora outside, talking and all that. It was a commotion." So that's what that noise was all about.

"Well, we were talking-"

"See! So you were together!"

"We were! But it doesn't mean we're 'together' like a couple."

"Really? How disappointing, then."

"Hmm, so maybe that's why Hiroisora is somewhat avoiding me."

"Well, she thought YOU spread the rumor." Crap. That's not going to help with my 'mission'.

"Why would I do that?"

"Beats me. You're the guy. But it just means that someone DID see you together, since you really were."

"You noticed she was avoiding you, but you didn't care that I was angry at you?" Jirai came out of nowhere.

"You were angry at me?"

"Yes! I am still now, by the way. I hate you. You stole the love of my life! You could have gotten anyone, but instead you got who everyone else wanted! Isn't that selfish?"

"Weren't you listening, I said we're not a cou-"

"I thought you were my friend!"

"We were?"

"Now I'm being treated as a stranger! How cruel life is!"

"Ok, stop it already. We're friends, we're friends."

"No." I'm losing my head talking to this guy. "We're rivals. We are still friends, but love has gotten in between this beautiful friendship of ours. May the best man win!"

"Whatever." I really don't care about this at the moment. Nariyuki and I went on ahead.

"Don't leave me behind, my dear rival!" I think it's good that he's stupid.

---

We first went to the Okinawan Prefectural Peace memorial museum. We walked around with a tour guide, explaining to us the history and significance of the place. I was too preoccupied with the thoughts in my head to pay attention. What if Hiroisora completely misunderstand the situation? She will really avoid me, and then I won't be able to save our house! She is already avoiding me, as I tried to talk to her but she kept on moving away from me. I need to explain to her that I didn't spread any rumor. Ugh. What do I do?

"Explain it to her. And no, you were not talking out aloud." Nariyuki offered some advice.

"How did you know I was thinking about that if I wasn't talking out aloud?"

"It's written all over your face. I don't know what's between you two, but I hope your friendship doesn't get ruined by this."

"Yeah. I hope so, too."

---

After the museum, we went to a castle. I've tried to approach Hiroisora many times, but each time the guys seem to try to separate us. They keep on forming walls behind her. I don't know how they do it without talking with each other.

"Ahhh." I let out a deep sigh.

"What's wrong?" Nariyuki asked me.

"I want to clarify things with Hiroisora."

"Oh. I didn't know you cared so much." Is she teasing me? Well, I do care. My family depends on it.

"Well, I do."

"You care about her but you don't care about my feelings?!" Not this again…

"Please, just shut up Jirai." I am not in the mood.

"You're not in the mood, huh. Well, imagine how I feel. Your best friend stabs you in the back, and feels nothing about it." Best friend, huh? I haven't thought of us like that. Must be because I'm the only one who's putting up with his craziness?

"I already told you. There is nothing going on between us." I wish I can just explain my situation to them… I keep on lying to them. Ok, maybe half-lying, since I want something to happen between us.

"Really?" Both of them asked in unison.

"…Yeah."

"Alright." I wonder what Jirai meant with that. "Even though it pains me to let her be with scum like you, since you are my best friend, I'll give way."

"You haven't been listening, have you?"

"Nope. And by the way, don't you notice something?"

"Like what?"

"Most girls are wearing sunglasses. Isn't that weird?"

"Well, it is sunny here in Okinawa."

"We're inside the castle, remember?" Oh. He has a point. "Those girls were the ones who cried all night when they knew about you and Hiroisora. And they are the ones who will fall in my arms. Bwahaha!"

Yeah. Sure. I guess everything is going as planned for him. Heh.