15 Chapter 15: Ligh

Our club, or rather Nariyuki, decided the activities we will be doing. Our plans are: first, go to a theme park; second, go to karaoke; lastly, go to a festival. I'm just glad we're not doing everything in a single day.

A few days after summer vacation started, I received a text from Nariyuki. It was a group message, indicating the date, time and location of where everyone would meet. It was decided that we would go on a weekday to avoid over crowded weekends.

Today is Wednesday, and I left early since our meeting time was at 9 in the morning. Going to an amusement park with everyone is exciting. Everyone met at the entrance gates of the park. A few were unable to join us today from the club. We are about more than 20 people in our group now. I guess the club is really big now in terms of numbers, and I think it will only grow after the summer break. As I looked around, I noticed that Hiroisora was not yet here.

"Are you looking for Hiroisora?" Nariyuki pryingly asked me.

"Wh-what? Oh, it's just you."

"What does that mean?" She seemed pissed at what I said.

"Well, there is no use teasing me anymore. I believe Hiroisora told you already our situation. This is just an act to help you out."

"So, does that mean you don't like Hiroisora?"

"Wha--? No! I mean, well, not that I don't like her, it's just..."

"It's just what?" Damn, I'm caught in her trap. "Well? Hmm?"

"Sorry I'm late, everyone!" Hiroisora was running towards our group. She was wearing a beautiful dress. I couldn't help but stare at her.

"What's the matter, Takaiyama-kun?" Hiroisora looked at me, puzzled.

"You're staring at her. It's rude, you know." Nariyuki commented on the situation.

"Oh, I'm sorry! It's just, um, you look beautiful in that, Hiroisora." I couldn't look at her while saying something that embarrassing.

"Thanks..." Hiroisora looked like she blushed a little from my compliment.

"They are so sweet! Look at that lovey-dovey couple!" One of our club members shouted. Afterwards, everyone else started cheering. I guess they are supportive of us. Haha. "Long live the 'I'm Sorry-couple'!" I never really understood where that nickname came from. Maybe now is a good time to ask, out of curiosity, of course.

"Um, why are you calling us the 'I'm Sorry-couple'?" I asked them.

"You really don't know?" One of the girls replied.

"Nope." I have no idea.

"Yeah. I want to know, too." Hiroisora was interested as well. She was somewhat excited to hear the answer.

"Hmm, it's because both of you turn down people who confess their feelings for you. You both always say 'I'm sorry'." Everyone knows that."

"Oh..." Hiroisora and I reacted at the same time. We looked at each other and laughed. There are a lot more things in common between us, it seems. Now that I think about it, no one has confessed to me ever since we came back from our school trip.

"Well, everyone. Let's go inside and have some fun!" Nariyuki exclaimed in excitement.

---

We entered the park and wandered around as a group. Not everyone rode the same rides. I wanted to ride all of them. I enjoy this kind of things. We took a lot of pictures together as a group, but there were many pictures of just Hiroisora and me, as well. They took every opportunity to take a picture of us together, whether it was us talking or even just walking. The one thing I noticed is that the happiest one among all of us was Nariyuki. I think I could understand, especially with what happened to her in middle school. She finally has a club she can have fun with together.

The day passed by quickly. It was afternoon already. Before we went home, there was one ride I want to go on: the Ferris wheel. I just want a little alone time for myself. When I was about to enter the passenger car, people from our club was pushing someone towards me. Then, they pushed me inside the passenger car together with that person. The door closed and the ride started to move. I looked at the person who was with me, and it was Hiroisora.

"Are you alright?" I asked her.

"Yeah..." She seemed a little shaken up.

"I'm just wondering, why were they pushing you?" I asked curiously.

"Well, they said we needed time alone together. I said maybe you wanted to be alone but they wouldn't believe me and said I was just being shy. So, they pushed me to go along with you here. Hehe. I'm sorry if I bothered you." She was apologizing while smiling at me. Of course, I'd forgive her when she's looking like that. Who wouldn't?

"No, it's okay." We were sitting in front of each other. "So, um, I don't have any idea what to talk about now that we're alone. Haha." She laughed at what I said. "We don't have to pretend we're a couple when we're alone like this."

"You're right..." She replied with a sad kind of expression. Now that is has come to this, I might as well start a conversation.

"Hmm. Can I ask you something?"

"Sure. What is it?"

"If you don't mind answering, why is it that you've been turning down guys? I'm really surprised that someone as beautiful as you doesn't have a boyfriend." I really am curious.

"..." She became quiet. I waited a little bit, but she still didn't answer.

"You don't have to answer the question!" I tried to clear the awkwardness that was starting. "I'm sure you have a personal reason I shouldn't be intruding into."

"...I'm sorry I couldn't answer you."

"It's fine, really. I understand. It was stupid of me to ask something like that." It must be because she's broken hearted or something. I can't believe a guy is dumb enough to hurt her.

"No, it's not your fault... Anyway, I guess it would be weird to ask you the same question now, although I was planning to ask it." She let out a weak laugh.

"My story is nothing extraordinary. I confessed my feelings to someone before and got broken hearted. I just don't want to play with other peoples' feelings, I guess. Haha." I tried to look normal, but it felt weird answering that question. It's the first time someone actually asked me that.

"I see…" She paused for a while, and then continued talking after pondering something for a bit. "So, do you still like… girls?" What's with that question?

"Of course, I do!" Is she questioning my gender preference???

"Sorry! I didn't mean to offend you or anything!"

"I'm not offended."

"You are…" She covered her face and seemed like she was about to cry.

"Hey! It's okay, really! You don't have to cry—" She burst into laughter.

"I can't believe I got you again, Takaiyama-kun."

"I don't believe this." I shook my head but I smiled in amazement of her.

"I'm sorry that I asked you a question that I wasn't able to answer myself. About turning down people… But, I think I understand you now a little better and got a little bit closer to you as well." She looked somewhat happy.

"Whenever you want to talk about it, I'll be here to listen. That's what a good friend does, right?"

"Friends, huh…"

"Aren't we?"

"…Of course." She smiled at me.

"And, it won't be fair that I'm the only one who shared his dark past."

"Hehe. You're right. I'm sorry."

"You know what? We really do say 'I'm sorry' a lot."

"I guess we do." We both laughed. The awkwardness in the air completely disappeared.

---

After that last ride, we decided to call it a day. Everyone was giving me and Hiroisora expectant looks. I guess they are hoping something good happened between us. I'm not telling them anything anytime soon.

It was decided that the day after tomorrow is when we will be going to karaoke. Everyone went on their separate ways after that short discussion. Tomorrow we will be meeting in the clubroom and do some actual work for our play.

---

I thought that when summer vacation starts, I would be able to wake up as late as I want to. I guess that fantasy has to wait a little bit, since today I'm going to school for club work. As I went downstairs from my room, I heard my brother talking with someone. I reached the hallway on the first floor, and looked at where he was. He was standing at the doorway, barely opening the door, while talking with someone outside. I was about to call out to him when he suddenly closed the door.

"Who was that?" I asked Uryou.

"Just a classmate."

"Then why didn't you invite him inside?"

"It was a girl."

"Oh, a girl classmate visiting you during summer break? I see—Wait! That's not normal!" I grabbed him in a headlock. "Answer me! Is she your girlfriend?!"

"No!!" He was trying to get out of the headlock.

"Then, why? Don't tell me… She's pregnant! You ingrate! How can you do that! Don't you know how hard mom has to work? Huh?! Did you think you could hide the truth forever?!"

"It's not… like that! She… was here… to see… you!"

"Me?" I let go of him.

"Yeah…" He was catching his breath. "She wanted to talk to you about something."

"What was it about?"

"How would I know?"

"Then why didn't you let her come inside the house?"

"I told her you were still asleep. She said she'll come by again next time."

"I wonder what that was about…"

"So, how are you and your girlfriend? How far have you gone?"

"That's none of your business! And we haven't gone anywhere, understand?!" This kid is messed up.

---

I went to school after that incident with my brother. When I arrived at our clubroom, there were already a lot of members inside. I looked for Nariyuki to ask what I'm supposed to do.

"So, what do I have to do today?"

"Read the script." She answered bluntly. She was busy talking to other people while giving them instructions.

"Read the script? Did I have to come here just to do that?" 'It was so hot outside and I had to endure that just to get here!' I can't complain out loud. Everyone else suffered as well.

"Of course you have to. You slacked off for weeks. You need to do at least this much."

"Haven't I atoned for that already?"

"What are you talking about? As long as I am president of the club, you will always be in debt." This woman is not human.

"Fine. Where is the script?"

"Hiroisora has it. Read it with her."

I looked for Hiroisora while everyone else was so busy. There were people discussing background making and costume designs. I guess they are really into this. Well, that's good news for Nariyuki. Speaking of her, she seems different from the one Hiroisora told me about. She's not THAT bossy, I suppose. Hopefully that doesn't change.

I found Hiroisora at the corner of the clubroom. She was religiously reading the script written by Nariyuki. I just watched her for a while. She noticed me standing and staring at her after some time.

"What are you doing, Takaiyama-kun?"

"Ah, nothing. Just watching you read." Damn, why did I say that?!

"Oh." That's all she said. I wasn't expecting that reaction. I thought she'd be more surprised. "Well then, do you want to read the script?"

"Maybe after you're done." If I sit too close to her, everyone in this room will erupt in excitement.

"Is it because you're too embarrassed to sit too close to me?" She asked with a smile.

"N-not really…" Damn, she got me again.

"Then let's read it together! No need to be shy, Takaiyama-kun." She really enjoys teasing me.

"Sure… What is the story about, anyway?"

"A girl who turns into a boy and a boy who turns into a girl."

"Does that mean I'd wear a dress?"

"Maybe. Hihi." She was excited about it. I'm not.