Seven Nights

I rushed for my cla.s.sroom at the first-year corridors of the high school building. I usually still have time when I arrive every morning, but I lost it this time as I dusted myself off at the shoe racks.

"Good morning..."

Pa.s.sing through the cla.s.sroom door, it"s 8:25 as I looked at the wall clock, 5 minutes till HR period. Most of the students are already inside, amusing themselves with morning talk.

"Yo, Hoshi! Got all dirtied up, ne?

"Yup, got up late and had to run..."

With a vague smile, I replied to my friend"s back carelessly as I hurried to my seat, breathed a sigh of relief, and slumped myself into the desk. My backside still throbbed from the pain, my face red from that slap. What a messy morning.

After that, Teru-san interfered and the incident was settled. After the girl thoroughly scowled at me, she left with her shoulders squared. I looked at the swinging twin ponytails at her back as I ma.s.saged my swollen face.

Due to the accident at the school gate, I was the center of attention for many students. Someone seen in that acquaintance would probably burst flames from his head and burn to death --

"Sa-kun!"

A sweet girl"s voice knocked at the back of my downed head.

Raising my head, in front of my raised eyes is a sweet smile. Kure Nazumu. My cla.s.smate since 3rd year middle school, she"s still my closest cla.s.smate among the girls.

I"ve got it; right now she"s all cheery.

"... morning, Nazumu"

No way -- As a wary me replied cheerfully, Nazumu smiled brightly.

"Iiiyaa, Sa-kun"s unexpectedly daring, ne?"

Gaaah! I knew she witnessed it!?

"What do you want!? Is it Vittoria"s Montblanc ...!?"

"You"re way ahead--! Anyway, for hush-hush, I wish for the Montblanc from that well-known cake shop, and I won"t say a word♪ Well, I wanted to say "give me", but then..."

"I... I"ll think this over..."

"All riight! I like Sa-kun♪ I"ll be so tight-lipped so don"t worry, ne"

"Phew ... safe ..."

"Moou! And I talked to you seriously ..."

After Nazumu puffed her cheeks, she lowered into the chair in front of me (after going around me in the back).

"I"m not telling anyone anything, and I"m giving you some good news. What are trying to hide from me? Acchan"s a good friend!"

Nazumu stuck out her chest as she spoke.

"Acchan? Who?"

"Yup, Akeno-chan"

"A-ke-no?"

"... eh?"

We stared each other for several seconds.

"A, ah! That very girl!"

""That very girl"!? What do you mean? You didn"t even know her name when you confessed to her?"

"Well, that"s no confession ..."

"What"s with your sudden shyness? With such audacious confession♪"

"So you mean, "You didn"t even know her name when you confessed to her"?"

"In short, you"re taken with her at first sight, ne"

Ah, mou, what are you talking about. Get back on topic!

"Anyway, they call her Akeno, right? Just who is she? What"s her relationship with you?"

"So you don"t know apart from jokes..."

As Nazumu murmured "love is blind", she answered seriously with earnest.

"She"s Kasugamori Akeno-chan. She"s one year junior than us, probably cla.s.s 3-C. I played lacrosse with her until last year."

"I see, you knew each other through club activities"

Nazumu"s with the lacrosse club. Juniors and seniors play separately, so that explains the "I played lacrosse with her until last year."

"Anyhow, isn"t she cute? Besides her nice character, her success rate"s terrible. Every month, she was confessed to --"

"12 boys in one year!"

"Nya. Summer vacation, festival, graduation seasons included, well about 20 ... eh, are you serious?"

Nazumu talked herself into astonishment. She recalled the girl going for me at the school gates. Then her eyes must have turned to disgust . It"s as if she was unable to notice.

"And you didn"t go steady with anyone despite of your looks .... Anyway, be on your guard. "Strengthen your defenses, how many have fallen before impregnable defenses" they say. You hear?"

"Hm? Right, I"ll keep that in mind. Thank you."

"Mou! Freshen up! No matter how desperate, don"t despair. Don"t ever lose hope. Until that day your feelings reach her, keep on attacking! ... Ah, but stalking or depression is a no go, ne. Keep on moderation your heartsickness and agony, and you"ll keep on moderation you amusing me.

"That"s your real intention, you"re wicked."

"Well, if Sakkun and Acchan were stuck together, don"t you think that"s a happy thought?"

"Sorry, won"t happen either way. My bad if I can"t live to your expectations."

"Oh. If you want to make the arrangements, just say it anytime.♪"

Just as Nazumu stood up from the chair, the opening chime rang. As the students chatted while returning to their seats, the HR teacher enters the cla.s.sroom.

(What a nice character, ne.)

My mind murmured as I suddenly remember Nazumu"s words. The way I see it, she"s but a violent character, dreaming or not. Well, at least she"s cute.

"..............."

That time, I recalled the sensation my palms felt on that hidden thing, just as my face reddened. My heart, due to my shortened breathing, began to thump.

"Stand -- !"

Today"s order resounded in the cla.s.sroom.