( 2010 )
The longer he stared at the button in his hand, the more he was convinced that it was always meant to be a losing game. The signs were right before his eyes from the start — the very first day he laid eyes on her at the welcome party their upperclassmen had thrown for them, standing next to her before the blackboard with colorful party hats and handmade paper sashes crossing their chests. She looked at home while he was afraid of what was to come. He could never truly accept the world she belonged to. That was why he had wasted all that time until there was no meaning left to it. That was the excuse he had crafted with his own hands.
"Do you think Ijichi was crying because he'll miss us or was it because of relief?"
See AlsoGet festival-ready with our DIY lash extensionsall each riddles, when unknown - susiecarterhands on your knees, I’m Angelina Jolie - p3ppermintDamage - dontcareajot - DeadpoolThe feminine voice pulled him out of his reverie, startling the boy. Kento slid his hand into his pocket as he turned to her.
Her eyes were the first to catch his attention, just as they had four years ago. All the children of the Gojo Clan stood out with their beautiful eyes, but Kento found Kanzaki's to be the most mesmerizing. Their beauty was different from the way Satoru's striking blue eyes were. Hers were an alluring violet color, similar to her other third cousin but a lighter shade, soft and serene unlike Ryosuke's sharp eyes, framed by long, black lashes. It was impossible to not gravitate towards her.
"Never stare directly into her eyes," Satoru had jokingly warned him after witnessing her so easily coerce the Kyoto second years into becoming her errand boys for two days, despite not participating in the exchange event herself. "It's a trap."
See AlsoLash (Broken Angel, #1)As beautiful as they were, a pair of red-tinted photophobia glasses often hid them. She had them perched on her head at that moment, pushing her curtain bangs out of her face. He hadn't seen her hair grow past her shoulders since she had showed up to the funeral with short hair. It gave her a more mature look, but he was missing the playful side the long hair brought out of her, all the colorful hair clips, and the different styles she used to wear.
A spark lingered in her eyes. He was going to watch it die in a few minutes. For he knew it was the last time, he stared at them for a second longer without worrying about getting caught. After he walked out of the classroom, those eyes were going to become a distinct memory.
"He's probably happy you won't make him run punishment laps every morning anymore." Kanzaki chuckled as she hopped on her desk. "But I hope it's the former."
"It's not like we're moving away. We'll be back here next week to submit mission reports for the rest of our lives. Just not in uniform. Now I'm even more qualified to order him around." Every year the girl had different alterations made to her uniform to fit her evolving fighting style. Her last summer uniform had its sleeves removed to allow more flexibility while using her three-piece staff. His uniform remained the same throughout the years. "I'll miss not having to worry about ruining my clothes."
He had to tell her. No... he had to tell her earlier when the decision was made. But it had taken them years to rebuild their friendship from the ruins, and he was about to pull out the piece holding it together.
"Kanzaki." A little concern and a large dose of curiosity flickering in her eyes, she looked up at him. His voice must have given it away. He could barely hear it over the sound of his heart desperately beating in his chest to stop him. That was how he wanted it to unfold; why was he having second thoughts now?
She hopped off the desk and closed their distance until there were a few steps left between them, her pretty violet eyes locked into his, the scent of her floral perfume in his nose. The jacket button was still between his two fingers, a cold reminder that life wasn't generous, that he could only have one of the two things he desired the most. It's not too late to change your mind, the button was whispering into his ear, and if she kept staring at him with those eyes, he feared that he would give in to its temptation.
