Shortly after convincing myself to approach Sleeping Beauty, students start to flood the auditorium. ‘Hmm, I guess I can use this to my advantage, at least.’ I think as I watch everyone finding where to sit. Of course, all the front row seats are the first to go. ‘Maybe it’s because of the writing? But she wouldn’t write during the concert, so that doesn’t exactly explain why she’s sitting in the back.’

Each step towards this gorgeous human can’t feel even more agonizing. What I don’t understand is why I’m feeling this way, because dealing with women really isn’t a problem for me. Is it because I assume she’s the girl from three years ago? Nonetheless, I won’t know for sure unless I actually talk to her and confirm it, so I can get rid of this nagging reminder of guilt every time I see her. 

“Yue, right?” I ask confidently. 

“Depends.” She responds without looking up from her journal. 

“Depends on what?” I ask with a smile forming on my face. 

“On who and why they’re asking.” 

‘This is certainly new,’ I think to myself, becoming intrigued. ‘The reactions I normally get go back and forth between the girl either being shy or giddy. Not once have I encountered someone answering me in such a way as this. But then again, she does think of me as some kind of creep.’

“Well—I’m Kaname,” I start, hiding the fact I’m at a loss for words. “As you know, I’m Kikyo’s brother and I wanted to make myself acquainted with you.” 

Still not taking her attention from her journal, she scoffs and says, “Make yourself aquainted with me? After what you did this morning?”

 Becoming dispirited to her words, I say, “Right. About that.” I say, in a dispirited tone. I sit a couple down from her, so as not to invade her space. “Can we forget that happened and start over?”

“Are you really asking me, or are you telling me to forget about it?” 

Her question was so fast and forward, almost like it was planned. I didn’t quite expect that to be her response. “I think ‘suggesting’ is the right word for this situation.” I say nonchalantly, deciding to play along nicely.

I check out the gradually crowding auditorium. With everyone trying to be as close to the stage as possible, the first 10 rows end up completely taken, in no time. The obvious excitement for my sister’s band makes me happy for her. I honestly can’t wait to hear the songs she’s put together. Glancing back over to Ms. Sleeping Beauty, still lost in her writing, the sight is almost hard to believe I’m looking at the same person. 

“So why are you sitting here and not backstage? I’m sure Kikyo would rather you be closer.” As if she didn’t hear anything I said, she proceeds on writing. Reminding me of how she was in class, I think, ‘Now I’m looking at the same person, as earlier.’

Although I conclude I’m looking at the same individual, because of her aloofness. Watching her a little longer, I do see a bit of a difference, looking at her now compared to then. I start to feel a sense of admiration towards her. “Fascinating,” I whisper, subtly.

The sound of scribbling stops as Sleeping Beauty averts her gaze towards me. The look of annoyance on her face, she says, “Excuse me?”

“I was commenting on the sight of you writing.” Not saying anything, and her face unchanging, she maintains staring at me. And now that I have her attention, I continue. “Every time I’ve seen you today, you seem so detached from everything around you. So it’s nice to see that you do have an interest in something.”

“Are you making fun of me,” she protests. “Or is this your way of trying to flirt?”

Catching me off guard with her comeback, yet again, I carry on without revealing my surprise to her. “And if I am trying to flirt, how does that make you feel?” Her face quickly darkens, even more than before. Lifting her hand, she rips out a page from her journal. Crumbling the now useless piece of paper up in her fist, she slams the journal shut on her lap. She was working so hard on it. I can’t explain why, but something tells me I have a part in her doing so. “I hope it was worth it.”

“Pardon,” she adds, putting the balled up paper in her pocket.

“I just hope whatever you wrote really doesn’t deserve to be a part of the journal anymore,” I continue. “I’m not sure what you were writing, but when I saw you, the look on your face was different from when we were in the classroom. You looked more…peaceful.”

Still with the look of irritation she says, “You don’t have to act like you know me. We only just met today.” 

“Really? I feel like we’ve already met.” Not realizing my mouth moved faster than my brain. I smile triumphantly, at the dumbfounded look on her face, as she stares back at me. Finally coming to my senses, I follow up saying, “Figuratively speaking.” 

Her face and body relaxing, she looks away from me. ‘That was close!’ I think to myself, easing the pressure I almost caused. ‘I should say something else.’

“Can I ask where you're from? I heard you moved here half way through school last—“

“See. Now I’m going to stop you right there,” she calmly cuts me off.

“ ‘Stop me’? Did I say something wrong?.” I ask, my smile fading away. 

“Stop the whole game you’re trying to play with me.” 

‘ “Game”?’ I think, bewildered by her words. As I’m about to ask her a question, Yue continues.

 “It's my understanding that you’re just a big flirt and a playboy when it comes to females. Sorry to tell you this—but I’m not those other girls you normally play with. Antics like that are boring to me. And I would much rather you just not talk to me all together, if that’s how you want to decide to see me.” 

‘Okay…a flirt is one thing. But a playboy is a bit excessive.’ I think. And no longer able to hide my astonishment, I ask, “See you as what…exactly?”  

“A game.” Looking me straight in the eyes, I knew she felt seriously about what she’s telling me. “So please refrain from treating me as such. Because I really don’t like to be played with.”

‘ “Refrain”? I’ve never actually heard anyone talk like that, but I guess that’s why she has the highest grades in the whole school. I wonder what makes her think I see her that way.’

“Why do you think I see you as a game?” I ask tenderly.

“You didn’t actually apologize for what you did.”

I think back on what I said, and she’s not wrong. I literally told her to forget about it.  Realizing my mistake a silence falls between us. But somehow, it’s not an uncomfortable silence. I can understand now why she would think I wasn’t being sincere. ‘Is it too soon to apologize, for real?” I question myself, rubbing the back of my neck, glancing at her as she slowly taps the closed journal on her lap. “Or will she think I still don’t mean it?’

“Can I-,” I start.

“Kaname! I’m so glad I found you,” interrupts the class President. “I saw you weren’t backstage, so I came to grab you before I began the introductions.”

‘Great,’ I think, dreadfully. ‘She really picks the best times to show up.’ Making sure not to show I’m bothered by her sudden appearance, I look up at the 5 ½ foot tall girl, who stands on the opposite side Yue is on, of me, and say, “And look at that. You found me.” Even though I obviously didn’t want to be dealing with the President, right now, I keep up with my sweet composure. The sooner I can get rid of her the better, because I know that this one and Sleeping Beauty aren’t on the best of terms with each other. 

“Why are you sitting out here, anyway,” she continues, in a cheery voice. “You should be up there, with your sister.”

I almost respond harshly after hearing those words. ‘Is she really going to be that dense, right now,’ I contemplate, to myself. ‘I’m aware they don’t like each other, but she clearly seen me talking with Yue. Does she really think I can’t see what she’s doing?’

“I was just having a conversation with Ms. Yue, before you came over,” I start, trying not to sound cruel. “If it’s alright, can I invite her to join us?”

The President’s smile somewhat fading, she says, “Well, I would say ‘of course’, but it looks like she has other plans.” 

 ‘What…’ I trail off in thought, looking for Yue, but there’s no sight of her. I rise from my seat to try to get a better view through the audience. She completely disappeared. ‘Where did she go?’