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THE new school quarter began.
My sunburnt friends and I filled each other in about what we did over summer break. Our middle school placed a huge emphasis on club activities, so most of the conversation surrounded club related stuff. From the sound of things, they all had it pretty rough going to school for their practice and on away trips when it was supposed to be their vacation time. Rei told me she had competed in the singles match for the junior high soft tennis tournament. Her match landed on one of my piano lesson days with Miss Ayumi, which prevented me from going to cheer her on.
“It’s all good! Just come and see my match during my last tournament next year, and we’ll be even!” Rei laughed and forgave me.
I didn’t realize how much I was holding out on my friends until the first morning of the new quarter.
On the way to school I was telling Eri about how I went to see the fireworks with Mako and Sawa, drawing an earful of complaints from her.
“I would’ve went with you guys!”
“Really? I didn’t invite you because I thought you would go with Majima instead. I didn’t invite Tomo for the same reason,” I explained.
“I get that you were just trying to be considerate, but still.” As we were waiting for the intersection light to change, Eri murmured, “It makes me feel lonely,” and dropped her gaze to the street.
“You and I won’t be together in high school, you know? My grades aren’t that great, and I know you’ve had your heart set on Seio since forever,” she said sadly, lifting her gaze to my eyes. “That’s why I believe right now is the only time we’ll have together like this. Invite me along the next time you go somewhere. I want to make more memories with you, Mashiro.”
“Eri… I’m sorry.”
Since we lived in the same neighborhood, Eri had been a great friend of mine since long before I’d regained my memories of the past. Eri stayed by my side with a smile even when my personality drastically shifted in the second grade and when I struggled to fit in during the fifth grade. All the days I’d spent with her flooded into my mind. I bit my lower lip as I recalled Miss Ayumi’s advice.
I have to practice the piano! I have to work harder at my studies! Stuck in the vortex of my own little world, I didn’t stop once to think seriously about how my best friend was feeling.
“I’m so embarrassed. A part of me just always assumed that you and I would be together forever. Your house is nearby and I know your parents well. But that’s not how it works in reality, is it? I’m really sorry,” I apologized.
“What? C-Come on, now. You don’t have to take it that seriously! I’m just sulking that I didn’t get to go with you!” Eri was flustered by my tone.
I was made aware of how often Eri, with her offbeat friendliness and kindness, had saved me. I loved laughing at stupid things with her. And I never even realized it.
“The fireworks were really pretty. The three of us watched them wondering if you were enjoying them somewhere together with Majima,” I quickly reverted the conversation back to the fireworks because I felt like I was about to cry.
Eri cracked a relieved smile. “I didn’t make any plans with Majima that day because he had summer lessons. I ended up catching the last half from the bank near my house.”
“Are you serious?! Oh my gosh! I am really sorry!” I felt so bad I wanted to hop off my bike and prostrate myself before her.
“Seriously,” Eri laughed. “I thought about texting you, but I stopped myself because I know your piano comp is coming up soon. You’re so cruel!” She puffed out her cheeks.
T-Too cute! She’s so cute it hurts! And I hate how shallow I was being. Stupid, stupid! I could’ve confirmed her plans in a few seconds if I really wanted to!
I definitely didn’t want her finding out about how Mako, Sawa, and I ranted about how envious we were of her. The conversation went something like this:
“I’m so envious of couples! I bet Eri and Tomo are all dressed up in their yukatas being told how good they look in them by their boyfriends!”
“Stupid Majima!”
“Stupid Kinose!”
As soon as I get to school I have to swear them to secrecy!
During break, I nervously checked with Tomo. To my relief, she and her boyfriend had successfully seen the fireworks as a couple. Thank goodness! If Tomo told me that she’d ended up watching it alone too, it would’ve been a blow to my conscience that I couldn’t recover from for a while.
It didn’t take long after the start of the new quarter for the sports festival and school trip to become the hot topic at school. But the competition’s quarterfinal round just so happened to land on the same Saturday as the sports festival, which resulted in my first authorized absence from a major school event.
When Tazaki, the cute delinquent with piercings, heard about it, he pursed his lips and grumbled, “Tch! I was planning on showing you how cool I am too!”
“You’re always cool,” I teased back. He shoved the hair off his face and gave a satisfied smile.
“She’s right. We’ll be cheering you on with all our heart,” Sawa added for good measure.
“Yippee!”
His innocent display of joy got us smiling along with him.
I knew it was horrible of me to compare, but Kou didn’t even have an inkling of Tazaki’s cuteness. They both fit into the playboy mold, but Tazaki’s flirting didn’t annoy me. How do I put it? The way he showed his love for girls was kind of endearing. Kou, on the other hand, generally didn’t trust anyone other than Kon. He was especially distrustful of the opposite sex.
But isn’t it about time he starts treating me like a real friend after how long he’s known me? Why has he been unnaturally kind to me lately? He used to interact with me as his real self, without holding anything back. He’s the one who used to taunt me and call me names. That ticked me off in and of itself, but I preferred him being straight with me to lies and deceit. Had I done something to upset him without realizing it?
Just as I was getting depressed over how possible that was, my cell phone vibrated.
“Your quarterfinals are right around the corner. I’ll go to cheer you on. Good luck.”
One glance at Kou’s text message pulled a sigh from me.
“Prioritize your dates,” I texted back, purposely implying he didn’t have to come.
An extremely happy sounding text came back in response. “It’s rare for you to be jealous. Don’t you worry, there’s nothing I’d ever prioritize over your competition, Mashiro.”
What is with this text? Kou, I just don’t get you lately.