Chapter 6
Kirari has been silent throughout this dinner. Honestly, I worry if she’ll hurt herself thinking so deeply on what happened with Sayaka earlier. Whenever Sayaka is involved, she seems to lose her ability to brush off anything with a simple laugh. It’s so obvious and yet she is completely oblivious. I’m starting to consider that I may have to spell it out for because it certainly appears that she’ll never figure out that her secretary means far more to her than just being “fascinating.”
In the past, I have always believed myself to be the socially unaware and awkward one of us, I mean I constantly wear a mask because of my inability to properly hold a conversation and when I was trying to become friends with Mary, I asked her to punch me in the face after following her around, but the recent developments have proven me wrong. At least I am capable of being aware of my own feelings, even if I do never act on them, and besides Kirari doesn’t have the excuse of social anxiety. She is just a naïve girl who has looked down emotions for so long that she can’t even recognize them in herself. She’s your younger sister, Ririka, try to help her for once instead of just hiding behind her and your mask.
“I think you should follow Mary’s advice. She was right you should ask Igarashi about her family. I am sure she would love it,” Perhaps if Kirari talks to Sayaka about more intimate topics instead of the usual teasing and school business, she’ll realize her feelings.
“I think I might. Truly Mary has such interesting ideas.” She’s laughing now. Really Kirari? Asking someone you known for years about their family is interesting? “In the morning perhaps.”
“I’ll make sure to not be the student council room in the morning.” I shouldn’t be her shadow during a conversation like this.
“Why? Do not be silly Ririka. You’re always in the Student Council Room in the morning.” I sharply inhale. Get a clue please Kirari. Please.
“I do not think it would be appropriate for me to be present during such an intimate talk.”
“It’s just talking about family Ririka. Not at all intimate,” She laughs. They why haven’t you asked her yet, and why hasn’t she asked you? I do not ask it, she’s too stubborn, and she’ll just make another excuse. There’s no use trying to fight Kirari when she is intent on winning.
“Ok. I’ll be going to bed now.” I need a break
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“Sayaka is coming earlier than normal to see if she needs to make up any work.” She looking at her phone with a smile on her lips. The prospect of more time with Sayaka always seems to bring a smile to her face,
and not even her usual smirk just an open, maybe even kind, smile.
“This is good. It’s more time for your talk.” The smile slips from her face, and then her smirk replaces it. So she is nervous... interestin—ugh I’m spending too much time around Kirari. “I am having lunch with Mary again.”
“How cruel. Is she your new favorite person?” Kirari chuckles. Deflection...typical. She is far too similar to me; we’re both cowards, in different ways certainly but more similar than most would think. Even if I know what she’s doing, my face still heats up. Her smirk widens, and I find myself regretting not wearing my mask in the car too.
“She’s a friend. Of course I like spending time with her.” Kirari just hums and turns to look out the window.
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Igarashi is waiting outside the gates of the school when we arrive at 7:50. I wonder how long she has been waiting out here. It wouldn’t be much of shock if she got here at 7:00 and was just waiting the entire time. She’s seems anxious more so than usual is it because she skipped yesterday or something else? Kirari should ask her what’s wrong.
“Oh Sa~y~ak, you’re out here waiting for us. How cute,” She softy chuckles as she walks by Igarashi and slides her hand across her back. Igarashi face is on fire now and her hands and knees seem to quiver. My sister is bold in all the wrong ways.
“President, Vice-President, I would like to apologize once again for my unprofessional behavior,” She states. Her head is bowed, and her blush is gone. Such a quick change. Without Kirari’s touch lingering any longer, Igarashi seems to be a regular employee apologizing for mistake. She’s not though, and this is made clear when Kirari once again moves closer to her and Igarashi’s face lights up again.
“There’s no need Sayaka,” Her voice is soft, and her face is close to Igarashi’s, but she doesn’t touch her. They hold eye contact for a few unbearable seconds before Kirari turns and walks towards the school. Sayaka quickly moves to follow after her.
I hate this.
——————-
It’s 8:00 now and Kirari has yet to make her move. After the incredibly awkward encounter at the gates(at least for me), there has been little conversation just a simple ‘do you want tea’ and ‘what paperwork do you need me to complete.’ Kirari is just sitting in her chair watching her work. Her head is resting in her hands, and she’s seems to be in deep thought. It’s really not that hard Kirari just ask her. After another minute or so pass with the only sound being Igarashi’s pen moving against the paper, the sound of the chair scraping against the floor fills the air. Kirari stands and makes her way to Igarashi. She places her hands on the table, so the Igarashi is trapped between them. Certainly not how I would ask, but if this only way she can do it who am I to judge.
She leans forward, so her mouth is next Igarashi’s ear. Igarashi is almost boiling now; she’s stopped writing, her back has become completely tense, and her foot beings tapping anxiously. I really wish I wasn’t here. Kirari why must you alway do this?
“I have a question, Sa~y~ak,” Her mouth is nearly touching her ear, and I can see Igarashi shudder at her name from across the room.
“Yes, President.” Her voice is unsteady like she might cry at any instant or perhaps do something else entirely.
There is a long pause, and then Kirari asks, “What’s your favorite tea?” The urge to jump and say that’s not the question is strong. Seriously what is wrong with my sister?
“Green tea President.”
“How lovely,” Kirari chuckles out as she moves away from Igarashi. The poor girl bends forward in what appears to be relief or maybe disappointment. Her face is still red unlike early.
“I must get to class President.” She grabs her papers and bags and swiftly moves to the door. Her steps are unsteady, and she bumps into the table once on the way to the door. Before opening the door, she turns back to us and gives a deep bow. She runs down the hallway.
“Really Kirari?,” The robotic tone of my voice gets my disappointment across far better than my voice ever could. She says nothing.
——————
Mary and I are already eating lunch when Yumeko and Ryote come to our table. Yumeko has a wide smile on her face as usual.
“Oh Mary and Ririka how wonderful! Let’s have a great lunch.” She claps her hands together and tills her head to the side. Behind her Ryote has a hesitant smile, and he awkwardly waves. This relationship is truly a mystery to me.
“Just sit now or else you’ll cause a scene.” Mary’s face is in a scowl, but she doesn’t seem actually angry not yet at least.
“Hello Yumeko and Ryota.” I greet them. Besides me Mary flinches at the robot tone. She hates the mask even more than Kirari. They’re both sitting now and Yumeko is smiling even wider now. She has a plan, and I almost certain it’ll result in Mary getting angry.
“So I heard rumor that you guys left the lunch room with the President yesterday. Did you get to gamble with her? Oh I’m so jealous.” Her checks are slightly flushed, and she’s swaying back and forth. Her hands are clasped in front of her chest.
“No, and I wouldn’t even if she asked. I want nothing to do with that girl. She just wanted to talk about Sayaka.” Surprisingly, Yumeko’s face doesn’t change at the discovery that this had nothing to do with gambling.
“Oh well I guess it makes sense you know how teens can be about their lovers.” She’s giggling now. Lovers?! While most of the student council is aware of the unusual relationship between my sister and Igarashi, most outside of the council of not aware of it. And either way they’re not lovers.
“They’re not lovers,” I answer.
“Oh my really? I simply assumed after Sayaka confessed her undying love for Kirari and they jumped off a tower together, they would start dating. It was simiply wonderful Mary. So romantic. So daring. So exciting.” The tower of doors gamble so that is what happened. Yumeko’s blush is spreading and her swaying is becoming more intense. She leans forward and suddenly grabs Mary’s hands. I fell my jaw drop. “Would you jump of a building for me, Mary?” Mary’s blushing now too; she quickly pulls her hands from Yumeko’s. I feel my jaw tighten. Yumeko simply can’t help herself.
“No, you idiot, I wouldn’t.” She crosses her arms now, and her scowl shows signs of true anger.
“Oh but there is someone. Who is it Mary?” Her eyes are glowing, and Mary’s eyes quickly flick to my face before looking across the cafeteria; her blush is even darker now. My face flames up; it doesn’t matter how much Kirari and Mary hate this mask it is in moments like this that I realize it’s one of the most important things in my life. No one can see my blush.
“Of course not you idiot. I’m not some love stuck fool or psycho.” It’s cute the way she says it. The way she pouts after. The way her face looks when she’s flustered. Yumeko’s giggle and her attempt to grab Mary’s hand however are not.
“I have to use the restroom.” A calculated retreat is necessary in moments like this.
As I walk away, I hear Ryote scolding Yumeko for making me uncomfortable. Their relationship truly is inter—damnit Kirari.