Chapter 1 - A Smile Like Yours I leaned on the wall of the ice cream parlour, feeling relieved at the first sip of my orange icicle. The weather is certainly hot and humid lately. All I ever did now was to stop by the ice cream parlour whenever possible after school ends. A tall boy of 17 years of age sauntered to my spot, and all the other female population within the vicinity stole admiring glances at him, each of them looking on at him with sultry and desirous eyes. I felt a pang of jealousy, but I tried my best to keep it hidden. He is indeed a sight to behold, sculptured to perfection with eyes that’ll make anyone melt. “Enjoying it?” He nodded, unable to answer my question with his mouth occupied sipping his honeydew icicle, on offer as the flavour of the week. Leaning close by, I detected a faint, pleasant smell of his perfume and it sent me weak in the knees. Thankfully he wasn’t’ aware of my sniffing the air just to get a load of his heavenly scent. “You know,” he managed to say after his icicle appeared halfway through, “I had been waiting for summer to come, but when it’s here, and I can’t wait for it to end. If only it is not this hot.” I smiled wryly. He would always say that, every summer, without fail. “You’re just saying that, but I know you like summer best of all. And when are you going for that fishing trip with your father? You guys do that every summer, isn’t it?” Again he nodded, still engrossed with the thirst quenching cold treat, but he managed to utter, “Next two weeks. The weather’s still weary now,” and then, he paused, before adding sarcastically, “Are you thinking of joining us?” I shrugged my shoulders, my eyebrows arched as I uttered, “Sure, if you don’t mind. Count me in. Besides, I’ve never experienced it, it’s high time I do.” At the mention of it, he frowned, and stopped eating altogether. “You’re…interested to…go?” He blinked once, his face still looked at me with disbelieve, “Hey, what’s with you?” “What?” “This… wanting to follow, oya-san and I…on our fishing trip?” he ended his inquiry with an annoying tone. Suddenly he brought his palm to my forehead, and it stayed there to feel my temperature. Ultimately, when he retracted his hand, he looked even more confused, “You’re plain odd today.” I was appalled. My dignity as a female was highly challenge. As a person who lives in this modern era, I feel male chauvinists are downright wrong; a woman can do whatever it is a man can do, “And what made you say that? Just because I wanted to follow?” He shook his head, “No…I know what you’re thinking, and I’m not a chauvinist.” I went beet red at the mention of it, didn’t think I was that transparent in his eyes. He smiled, his eyes glittered as he did so, and momentarily I felt as if my heart fluttered in the air. My breathing seems to halt at the realisation. Linez!!! Something is awfully wrong with you! “Linez, are you okay?” A finely sculptured hand was waved in front of my face, bringing me back to reality. Then, his face came into view, looking worried. “Yeah, I’m fine!” I lied, and it must have been too obvious, because what came out from my mouth was a mere squeak. He burst out laughing as a result, and shamelessly he squatted down, clutching his stomach as he did so. Crossing my arms across my chest and fuming thoroughly, I must have been a ‘sight’ to contemplate, for when he glanced at me, he ceased laughing and sheepishly stood up once again. “Well, I can’t help it,” he tried to give an explanation, “Even a person with corn cob stuck in his throat must have sound better!” And he laughed again, totally disregarding my feeling. People within hearing range smiled at his joke, and that really puts me off. “Fine. Mind me, go and laugh till the end of the world, I don’t give a damn. You’ll walk home alone today.” And I marched away right after. At long last, he called out to me when I was quite a distance away, “Linez, are you in that time of the month again?” I face faulted, my pace died in its track. The words seem to echo and as I turned around, I realised with horror the others seated in the open air ice-cream parlour snickered, suggesting they might have heard it. He… he… how dare he said that? Gradually, I felt my face flush, made even hotter under the fiery sunshine. I retracted my steps with furious speed, and stopped when my body was only inches away from his. As I was full of piss and air, trying hard to find the words to pay him, his arm land across my shoulder. He smiled, grabbed the bag from my grasp and slowly, he paced forth, dragging me along. “Come on, let’s go home. Linez, you couldn’t be mad at me for that, could you?” Still seething in anger, I was about to say yes, but then it came to mind that it doesn’t matter anymore, for a brawl will amount to nothing. Besides, he’s the best of friend I could ever have, and I don’t want to spoil anything by being sulky, which is not what I really am. Only lately, my feelings became so sensitive, and I was blown out of proportion. He grinned apologetically, “If you did, then I’m sorry.” Glancing at him sideways, noticing his smile, I knew I could never be angry with him; it’s an altogether futile attempt. Slowly, I eased, and previous thoughts banished into thin air. Silently I forgave him. As the scorching mid day sun cast its ray upon us, we walked along the road while looking out into the horizon of this beautiful seaside hometown of ours, and both of us fell in total silence. “Hey,” suddenly he pointed towards the sky, gesturing me to take a look, “what do you know? A flock of migrating gulls! It’s fantastic, isn’t it?” I agreed, as the two of us stood nearby the lonely pier, watching with awe at the flock of fluffy white birds. I took a long, secret glimpse at him at where I stood. Yes, he is irritating at times, but at most times, he is a friend you could always count on, and he had been so for the last decade, becoming a solid part of my life. I remembered when we were small, people would say, where there is Akira, Linez would always be there too, as if twins inseparable at birth. He turned around and smiled at me before looking up at the sky again, shielding his eyes from the blaring sunlight. And then it all entered my mind. My recent confusing self, it baffled him, as well as my own self. I tried to search the answer to it. However, I gradually realised, it will only happen whenever I am near him. Finally, reality hit me after all these years…I’m falling in love with you, Akira. The taste of dirt lingered in my mouth, but I was too shocked to spit it out immediately. Instead, I stayed in the position, my face inches away from the mud pool, my eyes becoming watery. None one was there to help me, to lift up this 6 years old girl from the awful situation. I was beginning to feel the bruise piercing on both of my knees, painful and bleeding. Suddenly, I became aware of a pair of feet stood in front of my face, slipped in a pair of clean new shoes, its laces neatly tied. I looked up, and my gaze fell upon a person alien to my memory. I didn’t know why, upon seeing his face full of sympathy over mine, the tears pooling my eyes voluntarily dripped down my chubby cheeks, and I began to sob uncontrollably. “Hey…don’t cry. Here, I’ll help you up.” With that, he slipped his hands reassuringly on my arms, pulling me up. Despite the obvious weight difference between us, he doesn’t even appear to be bothered with the thought. Sitting down on a bench later on, he brought out a piece of handkerchief and thoughtfully treated my wounds and wiped my face off dirt. All the while, through a glassy pair of eyes, I stared at the face of this kind soul, so serene and calm it was, and I instantly felt at ease, the tears had finally ceased flowing. “Well, that’s better,” he said with a smiling face, “I don’t like to see people cry.” Enticed, I smiled too, but I believe my smile could never match his. He had a sense of unpretentious friendliness when he wore that smile, and never shall I forget the smile, ever. He sat me on the park bench nestled under shady summer trees, keeping us away from penetrating sunrays of that particularly hot day. As his attention was kept occupied treating my wounds, I pondered on his face without him realizing it, mesmerized by its calmness. I felt indebted to this stranger, for being there when others had walk away on me. That was how we first met, and ever since that day onward, we became friends, very good friends. His caring ways and conduct are boundless; he seems to be nice and as equally caring to no matter who, and that what had drawn me to him. As I sat at the grandstand, watching him toil on the court with his fellow teammates, my admiration for him grew, gradually increasing day by day. “Hey, over with it yet?” I was startled when the voice practically boomed in my ear, and I swiftly turned around. Koshino senpai’s grinning face met my vision, and I pinched him softly on his exposed, sleeveless arm, a reward for making me jump at his inappropriate greeting. “Konicchi wa,” I smiled wryly as he took a seat beside me. He chuckles, returning my afternoon greeting sheepishly, “So, waiting for him again? Don’t you ever get tired? I would. Now, how bout we get some refreshment, just the two of us, since he’s not done yet?” Looking at his face, which appeared to stretch beyond its limit when he smiled at me, I couldn’t help but giggled noticing its silliness. He would always wear that sheepish grin whenever near me, and his face would grew red in the process, flushing as if fresh from oven. I didn’t say anything in return. Maybe he took it for an affirmation, for he was silenced afterward, happily grinning to himself. I glanced again at the court, my vision automatically in search for his distinct figure. And when my eyes caught hold of him, my heart would flutter, always. “And what are you doing here, sampai?” sarcastically I asked out of the blue, and his already flushed face turned beet red at my inquiry. “Hahaha….” Scratching his head and laughing awkwardly, he looks cute, and almost anyone in school would agree to it. “Taoka sensei had given me extra free time, that’s why I’m here! So, the offer?” I looked at him flatly, undeniably I dismissed his lame excuse. Taking illegal break such as this has been his usual conduct on every practice session. Suddenly, a voice shouted, and both of us looked towards the directed source, “Oi sampai!” a particularly tall guy with hair styled like spikes on his head said over the loudspeaker, “Don’t you have other flirting techniques that really works?” The rest of the Ryonan players had now taken a highly needed rest, sprawled on the floor and laughing over Sendoh’s remark. I laughed too, so did Koshino sampai who could tolerate jokes, especially jokes by this particular person on court, “It’s none of your concern, Aki-chan! Just don’t be around when I try to flirt with your friend here, kid, or else, it’ll not work!” he shouted back. “Hey, I’m no kid!” he shouted back louder through the loudspeaker. It was my turn to turn beet red. I knew the sampai had been trying to make a pass at me, but as always, I would push it aside and would not take it seriously. How could I, even if he’s considered one of the most eligible guy in school, when my heart had been taken away by someone else? Noticing Taoka sensei standing furious beside the spiky-haired second year player, Koshino senpai glanced at me and winked his beautiful dark brown eyes before getting up for the stairs. “Ja ashita ne,” he whispered before going. “Here they are. That’ll be 7,500 yen altogether.” The shopkeeper opened up his cash register and waited for him to hand in the amount for his purchase. Dutifully Akira fished his wallet and rummaged it for a 10,000yen bill. Confidently, he took out the note, but instead, it turned out to be a 5,000yen note. He paled upon realizing that there were no more money left in his wallet. He turned to me, but before he could say anything, I sighed. “I know, I know. I’ve been doing this for years, Kira, no need to tell me what to do.” “Here, oba-san,” I handed the money to the smiling shopkeeper. “Next time, keep his face in mind, he’s a bad creditor,” I said jokingly. As we made our way out of the shop, he uttered his thanks, taking away a plastic bag from my hand, “Hey, this is a man’s job. Anyway, domo for saving me again.” “What are friends for?” I replied, glad to have this gentlemanly guy as my friend. We walked along the pavement and were engaged in a light talk. “Want to join me for dinner? My parents are away,” he stated. “I knew that, oka-san told me herself. What is it that brought them to Okinawa?” He smiled, “My cousin’s getting married next Sunday, and they went early for a second ‘honeymoon’,” I couldn’t help but smiled as I saw him raised an eyebrow meaningfully. “So, I guess it’ll be instant noodle affair for me all week long,” he pointed out while waving the plastic bag in front of my face. “Then, come over my house, you know aunt Lily won’t mind at all. Duh, like you’re not used to it?” He laughed, bringing his right arm wrapped around my neck, “I will.” I flushed almost instantly, “Kira!! It tickles!” I tried to peel off his arm, the hair on my neck standing on ends due to the sensitivity. Finally, he let go of me and shook his head gravely, despite slightly laughing. “You know what? Your future boyfriend’s going to have a tough time trying to get cosy with you. You have to do something about that problem!” I glanced at him sideways, “You know I don’t have one, and I do not intent to keep one in the near future,” I said boldly. Akira frowned, “Hmm…I pity Koshino sampai then. Just picture this; he’s trying all out to win you, only to be disappointed in the end, and not knowing what had he done wrong. Hey, I know that guy very well, and I give 2 thumbs up for him.” “Yeah, thanks for the support, but no thanks.” “Why? Isn’t he good enough for you?” he delved deeper into the matter. I kept mum, all the while staring to the ground. I couldn’t find the words to convey the reason, for I feel very much insecure at the moment. Subdued, unwanted thoughts keeps flashing in my mind…What if I decided to tell him? How would he react to it? Would he be indifferent… or otherwise? Or would he be appalled, and thus that the end our long lasting friendship? I feel scared at the thought. That’s right… the reason why I had kept this feeling locked deep inside was just as simple as that…I don’t want to loose his friendship. “Linez? What were you thinking?” I looked up to meet his gaze, and quickly dismissed all thoughts, afraid that he might sense my distraught mind at the moment. “Nothing.” I was appalled when he suddenly laughed out loud. I deadpanned. “What’s so funny?” I asked with a hint of annoyance lacing my inquiry. “You’re lying, and it’s so obvious!” I turned pallid and brought a palm to clasp my mouth. “How can you tell?” He ceased laughing, but was still smiling as he uttered, “That mousy squeak, girl. I noticed that every time you come up with a lie.” “I did not!” and brought my bag spanking his backside, “I am positively sure I did not squeak!” He returned it with an irritating “yes you did, yes you did” chant all the way down the street while I tried my best to chase his lead. “And the sailor said to his wife… what do you think he said to his wife?” suddenly he diverted and directed a question at me. I rolled my eyes and moaned, “How could I know? It’s your story, not mine.” “Guess!” he cried adamantly. Fingering my chin just to satisfy him, I wreaked my brain for an answer, “The day is prefect, wife?” I grinned sheepishly as he frowned, “Hey, sorry! I couldn’t think of anything better than that.” “You’re so without a clue, my friend. Your answer is… wrong!” I shrugged, “Okay, so it is. Now, please don’t let it hang anymore, just continue, will you? You’re bad at storytelling, haven’t you notice?” He was about to rebut, when suddenly he stopped in his track. I froze too, and looked at him questioningly, “Kira? What’s wrong?” He didn’t say anything. However, his gaze was kept straight ahead, and when I followed it, my view rested on a girl standing alone and mysterious at the bend of the road. She fidgeted a bit when seeing him. I tugged at his sleeve, trying to thaw him from his present frigidness. Jealousy upsurge in my heart. Who could that girl be? Why is he looking at her with such intense? Finally, he turned towards me, “Linez, I think I won’t be going to your house for dinner tonight. Is it okay if you are to walk home by yourself?” The evening was not midnight black, yet, I concluded while looking at the boundless sky. Dawn had just sets, and therefore, although diminishing, the sunlight is still present. I glanced at the girl once more before setting my sight on his suddenly distraught looking face, an expression marring its beauty. “Who is she?” I had to repeat it again before he finally pays heed to my words. “Oh… no one…I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” I realized he looked even more distressed as he said that. “Okay then…” he ruffled my hair. However, today it wasn’t ensued with the usual playfulness, “See you tomorrow, at the junction, as always.” He’s shooing me away, I resolved as he bade a hasty goodbye and did not even look back once as I reluctantly took the other bend. I fought hard to repel the urge to follow him, and to see whether he had gone off with the girl. But somehow, I knew I had no right of doing so, to invade his privacy. If he has anything to tell me, he’ll do just that, as he always had. I trust him. But why did this feeling of uneasiness still lingered? ** Next**