Our Encounter

Luck seems to favor me... They say good comes after bad. Just as I was praying a bus pulled in front of me. As I boarded the bus, I noticed Kimura standing, his expression a mixture of surprise and confusion. I felt so happy that I could dance then and there. At least, that was the end of that day, however, I need a plan because I'll be seeing him every day from here on out at school.

Exhaustion washed over me like a wave after all that frantic running, and the only thing on my mind was to fling myself onto the mattress and doze off.

. . .

*Ring! Ring!*

"Ahhh...*yawns*" I feel sticky. Oh, right, I doze off without changing yesterday... Where's my sister? I slowly turned my head to the left and what I saw nearly jolted me out of my skin! "Good morning~," my sister greeted, wearing a black face mask and staring at me with her red eyes.

"WHAT THE... WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" I got up and I yelled.

"What does it look like? I'm wearing a face mask."

"WHY DOES IT HAVE THOSE STRANGE TEETH DESIGNS ON IT??!"

"You don't have to yell. Anyways~ what happened yesterday? You came home looking like a mess, all sweaty, and way later than usual. You didn't even show up for dinner," she remarked, rising from her seat. "I see you haven't changed. Was Basketball practice hard?"

I went to shower while listening to her. She also followed me and removed her mask. I could see her lean on the translucent door as I was showering.

"Your fortune was accurate. It did become true and did I tell you about Ayumi being the one he cheated with?" I turned off the shower,

As the water streamed down, I told her the incident, "Kimura tried to confront me twice. One after school, next after Basketball practice..." By the time I had finished relaying the entire thing, I had completed my shower, dried off, and slipped into my school uniform. Once I had finished she said, "You've had a great hard time. The only thing that troubles me is why you didn't get a brain. Obviously, things won't happen exactly the way you see it."

We both head to the dining room, only to find our parents had begun eating. Me and my sister took our seats and ate in silence. The unspoken understanding between my sister and me spared me from prying questions from Mom and Dad. I don't know why, but it brought me an unexpected sense of comfort.

. . .

Heading to school, I cast a glance around, and there he stood – Kimura, waiting impatiently for someone. Me? I wish he wasn't here right now... I took off my bag, positioned myself for a speedy getaway, and sprinted towards my desk. After gently setting my bag down, I rushed back to a safe distance before Kimura could react. Ayumi wasn't in sight, Ayano and Haruhi stood in shock as they stood on the opposite side of the room.

I was only one step away from putting my foot outside the classroom door when a guy stepped in front of me in perfect timing. *Tud* I bumped into him. "My nose...hurts.." I mumbled, instinctively rubbing my nose.

"Oh, it Jin kins~" both Ayano and Haruhi sang in sync.

He raised his hand in a friendly wave, but I didn't spare a moment to admire him or his face and ran away. "Yu--" I could hear Haruhi say. Jin? Sounds familiar. It's only possible since some of my middle-school classmates joined my high school. To be honest, most likely all the top-tier ten students joined.

Among the top ten students, Haruhi held the first spot, followed by Ayano in second, then me the third, Ayumi secured the tenth place and there was Mayu, Kira, and Taku, fifth, sixth, and seventh respectively. Then there was Miyamura and Yasu eighth, and Nineth... the fourth...Takashima... Takashima... Takashima Jin! Wait...that was Jin? The Takashima Jin? But how? H-He used to be so short... Now he's tall? We haven't even reached the second year yet! We didn't get to converse much before, but I always got the feeling of an unspoken rivalry between us.

At last, I reached the gymnasium garden, one of our school's three designated gardens. There is the cafeteria garden and the bench garden which is also known as the 'lovers garden'. Its primary sources are couples. I can see it from my window...Next to the first year's building. It's a secret place, which Kimura might not know. I can cool off my head there.

. . .

Whoa... What's with all the garbage strewn around? I remember this being a haven of sorts. The last time—or should I say the first time—I was here, the air was filled with an aura of 'love'. *Tap tap* Uh... someone's approaching...

*Chuckles* "--Really? Did she just bolt? Well, that was bound to happen. I pity her though. She had the chance of getting to know you and yet she refused. Don't worry, I'll be by your side, forever if you want to be..." The voice sounded familiar. I squinted to see who it was. She is clinging on to...WHAT!? ITS AYUMI! WHAT IS SHE DOING? DID SHE JUST TALK BEHIND MY BACK?? MOREOVER, WITH KIMURA??

'I guess I'll have to hear out what else she would like to talk about me...' I muttered to myself, crouched behind some bushes, peeking through a small gap. I felt a warm breath tickling me behind my neck.

"Eavesdropping on who?" It is Jin! H-he's behind me! Practically leaning against my shoulder!

"Ehhh...Wh-whag gaa..." Words stumbled and tangled in my throat! He caught me completely off guard and now my heart is beating fast. Is it love? Nah, no way... I can't fall in love with him. I haven't even seen his face yet!

"Did I startle you? Sorry." He said, his expression shifting to a slightly sheepish, puppy-dog look.

"What is wrong with you? How did you find me?"

"I followed you. I came to talk to Jiro, but he chased after you, then Haru and Aya told me to chase after you."

What were they thinking?

He sat up straight, hesitating a bit, "I don't know what to say..." he then looked sideways at Kimura and Ayumi who were sitting on a bench. They can't see us. They're in another world of their own. I stood there admiring his face. He grew out to be handsome. His jawline was impeccably defined, his dark brown hair cascading slightly over his forehead. His eyes, a captivating shade of gray, seemed to glimmer in the light. His height is probably a bit over 180 cm, and that fair complexion... I'm in a daze

"Is Jiro...bothering you?" He eventually inquired.

*Brrr* I shook my head. "Both of them. Who is he to you?"

He shifted his gaze back to me, tilting his head slightly to the right, "A distant relative. My grandfather's brother's grandson?" he interpreted.

"Why a question mark? You sounded it in the simplest form."

"Yeah. Tell me if Jiro bothers you. I'll tell him to keep his distance." he stated before he departed. His demeanor felt a bit distant and cold. Was he always like this? It's almost as if he came to check up on me. And that conversation was even more confusing, now that I think about it. Argh...handsome face just made me miss Ayumi's 'talk-behind-my-back' conversation... Fine, whatever. I'll see to it later. I'm heading back to class.