Chapter 16

May 15, 2017

I wake up around 8 o' clock in the morning to the sound of birds on my windowsill. I remember what we're doing today, and I hop out of bed. I shoo the birds, careful not to make them shit on the house.

I grab a cute sundress, pink to go with the occasion. I tug on some black leggings underneath, only because the dress is really short. It's cute, however. I skip over to the bathroom. I'm filled with renewed energy because I realize what happened last night. I forget everything that happened at the castle, with Ryoji, with everything. I focus entirely on what happened afterword, in the forest.

I'm filled with such immaturity, it's like we're children again, stealing little kisses behind the teachers' backs. I suppose that's a good thing. I grin to myself.

Naoto isn't awake yet; she must've been searching alot for us. I decide to try something I haven't done before: waving my hair. My hair is naturally wavy, but I always choose to straighten it, or curl it. I haven't had the chance yet to use my waving rod. What would even be the point?

I start with makeup, choosing a pink lipstick and black eyeliner with mascara. Nothing else. However, I do powder my face with sparkles, making it glimmer in the dim bathroom light. I'll look like Edward from the Twilight series when I go outside. Just imagine what I'll look like underneath the bright lights of the ice rink.

I wave my hair, and eventually start looking like my old self. I slip on an old charm bracelet that my best friend from California gave me. She gave it to me right before we got to high school. It was our goodbye gift. I brush away the sad thought.

I glance around the bathroom, trying to spot my pink headband. I thought I had put it on the side of the tub. I peek back in my room, and I spot it. I dash over to it, sliding it into my hair.

I look out my window and-! My truck has arrived! It's a big-ass raised Ford F-250. I asked for rims and everything. This was the kind of thing Mom would laugh at me for, calling me some kind of pimp. I laugh giddily. Today was going to be an amazing day. I race down the stairs, passing Shirogane-sensei.

Shirogane-sensei: Is that YOUR truck, girl?

He raises his eyebrows at me. I nod, grinning. He chuckles. I grab my purse and pink heels. I slide open the door, facing the bright sunlight. I take out my pink Ray Banz and slip them on. I match fully, and I face the world, confidence in one hand, purse in the other.

I hop into my truck and not wanting to ruin my hair, I keep the windows rolled up. I pass our neighbors who shoot me strange looks. I blank. Then I realize something. The driving age isn't 16 in Japan. It's 18. I slowly act normal, pretending to be my age. I hope that Dojima-san doesn't catch me on it.

I get to Yu's house and park in front. Nanako comes rushing out the door to greet me, Barbies weld like swords. Yu comes out after her, and offers me a wave. He's got a Barbie in hand as well. He does a double take when he sees what I'm driving.

Yu: Is that YOURS?

Me: Why is everyone asking me that? Yes, it's mine.

Yu laughs, and Nanako tugs at my hand.

Nanako: C'mon, let's go play!

Me: Yeah, let's go. I've got a present for you too. Actually, you too, Yu.

Yu and Nanako look at me with curiosity.

Me: But Yu doesn't get HIS present until later.

Yu laughs. He must understand what I'm saying. I washed his jacket, careful to empty the pockets. I didn't read the note, I only put it back in his pocket when it was done drying. I folded it and put it on my bed. I'll have to remember to not wash my futon. 

Nanako pulls me inside, where Dojima is sitting on the couch. He looks at me and waves.

Me: Morning, Dojima-san.

Dojima: Morning. Is that your truck out there?

Me: Yes.

Dojima: You do realize that you're not old enough to drive it here yet?

Me: Yeah...

Dojima: I'll let it slide though, if you show me your ID.

I flash him the card I obtained in the States. I passed my driver's test with flying colors. He grunts, and lets me pass. He goes back to watching the news. The top story is about a mysterious murder in Tokyo.

Nanako leads me up the stairs into her room, where everything is pink. Yu follows, and sets down the Barbie. I point at him and giggle. Nanako looks at us with a confused look.

Nanako: Why are you laughing?

Me: It's nothing. Just a little joke.

Nanako: Okay. 

I pull out her present, which I wrapped carefully. I hand it to her. She plucks off the tape, careful to not rip the wrapping paper. I smile. She reveals her gift, a whole new set of Barbies, accessories included. She gasps in surprise. 

Nanako: Thank you!

She wraps me in a hug, and I hug her back. I hear the door close behind us. Yu must've felt like the 3rd wheel. I laugh to myself.

Nanako: Are you okay? You're laughing again.

Me: I always laugh. It's kind of my thing to be giggly.

Nanako: Oh, good. I thought that maybe you were crazy of something.

She giggles. I help Nanako take the Barbies out of the package, cautious not to break any of them. She picks the pretty one, the one I intended her to like. Her hair is layered with pink, all she's wearing is pink.

Nanako: This one looks like you.

She smiles and blushes. She gasps. 

Nanako: Oh, yeah! I have a present for you too! Daddy helped me pick this out.

She hands me a little box. In it contains one of the prettiest things I've ever seen. It's a charm. She looks at my bracelet.

Nanako: This way, you can put it on your bracelet. Big Bro said you like bracelets.

Me: Does your Big Bro like to talk about me alot...?

Nanako: Yes. He said you're very pretty and nice.

Me: Oh, he did, hmm? Excuse me for a second.

I excuse myself, energy rippling through my body. I tiptoe silently across the hall to Yu's room. The door is cracked. He's reading a book on his couch. I enter in silently. He doesn't notice or look up.

Me: Nanako-chan is cute, hm?

Yu jumps. 

Yu: Jesus! You scared me.

Me: Sorry.

I giggle. He's wearing a short sleeve shirt and some jeans. I feel really overdressed.

Yu: You look nice, by the way.

Me: I know. Nanako told me.

Yu: Nanako told you what...?

Me: She told me that you said I'm pretty. I'll take that as an utmost compliment. 

I stride over to the couch, bend down, and peck him on the cheek. I turn and walk out the door. He's blushing, I can see his reflection in his mirror. He's surprised, and I giggle and close the door behind me.

I hear him step to the door. He opens it.

Me: Yes?

Yu: That's mean, kiss me on the cheek then just skip away like nothing happened.

Me: Well...You know that I'm all about mean.

Yu: Oh, c'mon.

I giggle and walk into Nanako's room. She looks up at me. She's already got the whole set for where we can play all set up. 

Nanako: Okay! Let's play!

2:30 p.m.

It's been a few hours of fun. Yu and I made lunch together. It was absolutely divine. I made tea and cucumber sandwiches, which they quite enjoyed.

Nanako: It feels like we're having a tea party!

Dojima: Yep.

Yu: So...Sasha...

He puts an emphasis on my name, and I look up from my tea. It's very sweet, it didn't even need sugar. Just like him, I think.

Yu: Do you know what time we're meeting Naoto at the ice rink?

Me: Oh, crap! I don't! Naoto wasn't awake this morning when I left so I didn't have the chance to ask. Let me call her now.

Nanako looks at us, confused. Then her smile lights up.

Nanako: Ice rink? *gasp* Are we going ice skating?!

Yu: Yup. We're going with everyone tonight.

Dojima: That sounds fun. I-

His phone starts to ring.

Dojima: Dammit. 

He gets up to answer it. I make the call to Naoto's phone, and walk into another room. Dojima sounds angry.

Me: C'mon, pick up, Naoto.

The phone rings a few times, then she picks up.

Naoto: Hello, this is Naoto?

Me: Naoto, thank God. We're wondering when we should meet you at the ice rink.

Naoto: How does 4:30 sound?

Me: Sounds perfect to me.

Naoto: Okay. See you then.

Me: 'Kay. Bye.

I hang up, then I walk back into the living room.

Me: She says around 4:30.

Yu: Okay, cool.

Nanako jumps up from her seat at the table, a stern look on her face. I look to where she's glaring. Dojima is returning.

Dojima: Nanako...Jeez, I'm sorry. I have to go. You can tell me all about all the fun you guys had when I get back. I love you.

Nanako: Love you too...Dad.

I try to cheer her up. I pull out my iPod. I blast my favorite song.

Nanako: Is this [random band name]...?

Me: Yeah! 

I close my eyes and sing along. When nobody else sings along, I open my eyes. They're looking at me like I'm crazy.

Yu: Give me that. I'm not gonna listen to this trash.

Me: EXCUSE ME?! 

Nanako: You heard him. Cough it up.

I pout. Yu takes my iPod gingerly from my hand. He chooses a "better" song.

Yu: Damn. How much music do you HAVE?

Me: Around 5000 songs or something.

Yu eventually chooses [random song] by [insert random band]. I hop to my feet. I'm dancing along, singing. He laughs at me.  Nanako joins in.

Nanako: This is my favorite song!

We're dancing around the living room, on the table, the couch. We're all singing eventually. I hear something beautiful. I pause the music, but Yu doesn't stop singing. I gasp. He's got a beautiful voice. Nanako and I stare at him. He stops singing and blushes. We stare at him for a second, and then I play the song.

We're singing at the top of our lungs. My voice doesn't crack for once. Yu stares at me, bewildered.

Yu: How do you sing and dance like that and not have your voice break or anything?

I ignore him. The next song to play is [insert some random song] by [any random artist]. I twirl Nanako around the kitchen gracefully, balancing a teacup on my finger. Yu and Nanako stare at me.

Yu: You should've gone to dance. You're so...graceful.

Me: Thanks.

I look at the clock. It's 4 o'clock. I clench my eyes and sing, directly on key. The highest pitch I'm hitting, and I have no idea how. Nanako and Yu are staring at me. Yu releases me from Nanako's grasp. 

Yu: Excuse us for a second. 

Me: Yu, what are you-

Yu opens the closet door and shoves me in. He follows in after a moment. He presses his face to mine, and our mouths meld together. He speaks against my mouth.

Yu: I have no idea how you're doing it, but you're making me want to do this alot more than normal. Is this usual where you come from...?

Me: It better be.

I giggle, and Yu kisses me again. He places his hands firmly on my neck, pressing me to him. From inside the closet, I hear Nanako pick a different song. My mouth is glued to his. His tongue begs entry. I let him in. It's a sweet kiss, exposing his weak side. Me. I plant my hands in his hair, ruffling it. His hands move down my body, landing finally at my hips. Everywhere he touches goosebumps break out.

I pull away, breathing hard. He places his cheek against my forehead. Yu whispers into my hair.

Yu: Wow.

Me: Yeah. Okay, Let's go. Nanako's waiting for us.

We open the door to the closet. I stop halfway. My lipstick is smeared all over his face. I bend over, laughing. 

Me: Ahahaha! Yu, oh my God, wipe your mouth...

Yu: Huh? Oh.

Nanako shoots us a confused look, and I give her a reassuring smile.