Read You are my magic :: A weird neighbour

(I am Miho Hoshino. 1st year in senior high [1oth grade, section B].

I do not like school. It’s like watching a show with the volume muted. People talk to me, laugh with me, say I’m their FRIEND. But they’re just characters, just lines of dialogue I’ve learned to respond to.

But even if I’m acting, I’m not the one with the worst role. That honour probably goes to the version of me everyone talks about behind my back. The one who STALKED that girl in the very first year of junior high [7th grade]. The one they whisper about like I’m some creep out of a bad drama.

I don’t really care anymore.

Or… maybe I NEVER DID? *Don Don* It’s my heart beating, cause yeah, no matter how much I tell myself that I don't care, I actually do. Whatever. Doesn’t matter.)

(But there is someone, A weird neighbour.) I walked through the corridors of my school as I think about the first time we met.

***

About 2 months ago, My family went abroad for vacation for 6 months, and I wanted to shift to my old house near school.

[

“Are you sure that is what you want?”

“Yes dad, I am sure. It is such a hassle to wake up early in the morning.”

“But...”

“Mom, you worry too much, although I have bad memories in this place, it was years ago so I don't really mind.”

*Don Don* ( I actually do a little. But I still want to move forward in my life.)

“I cannot just escape form things that I am afraid of.”

“Ok son, if that is your wish then I can do that much for you.”, my dad said, although I could see that his face was filled with worries.

]

***

(But my mom is such a worrywart that she intrusted me to a random kid who happened to be my neighbour.

He was tall but not as tall as me. He had straight black hair and light blue eyes. A totally good-looking guy. He seemed strong as well. And he had that surprised look on his face.

But still he reassured my mom that he would take care of me. It surprised me because we were just strangers, and he was willing to take care of me?

That was weird but I still thanked him for his words.

Although later she said that she knows his parents, I am still not comfortable around strangers.)

(He is even in the same school. It will definitely be awkward.)

(Then after a week, after the spring break ended, while I was halfway running to school...) I bumped onto him. And he fell down. “Ah, I am really sorry.” he stood up by himself.

“Oh no, I am sorry. It was my fault for running. I am running late to school.”

But he was coming from opposite direction. “You are in the same school as me, aren't you? But then why are you running in this direction?” I asked him without thinking.

“Ahh...” he seemed quite uncomfortable with that question. To reassure him, “Its fine if you do not want to answer though.” I scratched my head.

He shook his head, took his bag out and showed it to me. It was torn apart from below and he only had one book inside.

“Ahh, IS IT ME? IS IT BECAUSE OF ME??”, I panicked. He shook his head again and calmly said, “No, don't worry it's not because of you, it is my dog.”

“Ohh” I took a deep breath of relief.

He added, "I only realized it when I was halfway to school, and I do not have my books, so I came to retrieve my book.” his calm explanation didn't give justice to the state of emergency of the situation.

(How do you not notice your bag which is literally empty?) I giggled at the thought of it.

“But you will really be late if you return home now.”, I thought hard. “Ah, You can take my books and return it afterwards. Here, wait a minute.” I took out my books.

“B- But then what about you?”, he asked, concerned.

“It's fine, I don't read in class anyways.” I replied casually but I could see his face was filled with concern. I reassured him that it was fine. He insisted that he only take half books and I take the other half. I had no option but to comply with his request. He thanked me. I gave him a smile in return.

That day we walked to school together.

(Today is a nice day since I got to go to school with someone even though he isn’t my friend.) I secretly smiled.

***

After that, the next day he rang my doorbell in the morning and returned my books, "Let's go to school together.”, he said in a calm and shy tone.

“Ah, Ok. I am just done getting ready will you wait a little bit for me?”, I was puzzled. After that, he came to get me every morning to go to school together.

And now-a-days he even come to my class during breaks, and after school to walk home together. (I don't dislike it though).

“Hoshino-kun” he calls out like we’ve known each other forever. He waves brightly when he meets me after school, both hands in the air like some over-excited kid. “Hey, how was today?!”, he asks me every day. And I always reply. “Fine,”

And he looks at me with those blue eyes of his. He literally looks at me. I feel like he is staring at my soul somehow. (Why does he keep looking at me like that?) I wonder.

***

In the present, “Hey, Hoshino kun”, a voice loud and clear from behind and I came back from my thoughts. I turned back. It was Yuta. “Hi, why are you running?”

“Huff...Huff... I saw you so. We are walking...huff... home again today alright?” (Was there a need to come all the way running just to say that?) I chuckled. “Yes, we are.”

His eyes glimmered. Even though he was still crouching with tiredness.

The bell rang. “Oh, I should get going now. See ya after school.”, he waved at me as he went to his class. I waved him back and went back to my class. During the history period when everyone was half asleep, my mind wandered somewhere else.

(I always seem to laugh when I am around him. And yesterday...) I blushed.

***

Yesterday, after school, when it was raining and I was about take my umbrella out, Elie-san approached me with an umbrella. She is a good friend of mine and we are in the same class.

I was about to tell her that I already have an umbrella but suddenly a closed umbrella came between us. I turned my head slightly and it was Yuta. “Ahm, Takeichi-kun?”

He leaned towards me and asked pointing at Elie-san with his umbrella, “Who is this?”

“Ah, she is my friend, Elie-san.” I pointed towards him and introduced him to her as my neighbour.

“Ahh, a friend huh.” He squinted his eyes and looked at her.

“Ah, I know you”, she clicked her fingers after quite a long staring. “You are that—”

“Do you now? I don’t know you though.” Before she could finish her sentence Yuta interrupted her. Both of them looked serious. And a dark and gloomy air began to flow around them.

(What is happening? ) I was confused so clapped my hands in the air between them. “Hey guys?”, I gave them an awkward smile.

Yuta grabbed me by my hand and said, "I have an umbrella and we happen to be neighbours so I will be the one to share an umbrella with him.”

I was flustered with the way he held my hands and said that so directly. It was kind of misleading. But... I didn’t hate it. His slightly shorter height than me and slightly thinner and smaller palm.

(It isn’t bad to hold someone’s hand.)

(I had an umbrella but...)

“Ye- yes, Elie san. You don’t have to worry. I will be going with Takeichi kun.”

“Okay, go home safe.”, she waved me bye as Yuta and I went ahead.

He was still holding my hand. “Takeichi kun? My hand...”, I said awkwardly. He seemed to be fine with it earlier but he was suddenly flustered after I said that. “Ah, sorry I didn’t realize it.”

“It's fine.” I laughed at his reaction. He laughed too .

We walked side by side under his umbrella. Close, but not TOO close. After a while he murmured something. “that girl?”

“Hum?” I didn’t hear him.

“What is your relation with that girl?”, he asked in a shy and embarrassed tone looking away.

I was confused by that question. “Um, a friend?”

“ Only a friend?” He looked at me tilting his head.

“ Yes. She has been my friend since 7th grade. And I am grateful to her since she is the only friend I have.” I scratched the back of my head as I said that.

He stopped. “What do you mean?”

“Huh?”, I blinked my eyes.

“ You have me.”, he said firmly and confidently.

*Dosu Dosu* (I am embarrassed to hear someone call me their friend in such a way. Many people have called me their friend, but they were never true to their words.

But...

He looks right at me. As if... He knows how I feel. I want to believe in him. But I don’t know if I can.)

“Really? Thank you for saying that” a soft smile rose in my face without me knowing. He glimmered. Like literally, if sparkles had sound, they’d be playing right now. "Thank you.", he said.

I had no reply to give him.

The sound of raindrops were filling the space between our footsteps. I insisted on holding the umbrella, shifting it slightly to make sure he stayed dry. “You know,” he said, with a small smirk, “are you planning on becoming a full-time umbrella holder when you grow up or what?”

I suddenly stopped. My voice came out softer and serious.

A little unusual for me.

“I want to visit different places… and start a bunch of businesses too maybe. And write lots of stuffs in my book”

I blinked. (That wasn’t what I intended on saying.) “Ah—sorry. That’s just a boring ideal of mine.”

He shook his head and stepped in front of me.

“No,” he said, looking upwards meeting my eyes. “It’s not boring at all. It’s awesome.” He added, “I really like that. I wanna go around the world too.”

I was taken off guard by that reaction of his. A smile crept onto my face, softer than I intended. It felt… warm. He stared at me for a second, then chuckled—and just like that, we were laughing.

We talked about silly things. Food we liked, stuff we didn’t. Cartoons we watched as kids. Our talk wasn’t deep or dramatic, but it felt honest. He had that varieties of expressions on his face suitable for each topic we shared.

And it was a fun day. Maybe because, our conversation wasn’t like the other conversations I hold just for the sake of it.

***

In the present, The bell rang.

(I didn’t even notice it is already time to go home. Now-a-days, I am always excited to go home.)

(Because Yuta will always be waiting for me downstairs.)

“Hey!”, he waved at me with both of his hand.

“Hi, it is raining again today huh” looking at the rainy sky. (It is always fun to see him waving his hands so brightly.)

“It sure is. Did you bring the umbrella?”, he asked.

“Yes. You... didn’t?”, I guessed looking at his expression.

He smiled brightly and in an embarrassing tone, “Yeah, after you gave me the umbrella yesterday night, I forgot to put it in my bag.”

(I was right.)

“Hehe. Let’s go together then.” (There I go, laughing more than required.)

“Alright, today its my turn to hold the umbrella then.”, he said excited.

“Umm... if you want to.”

We walked home just like usual. Talking about stuffs that doesn’t matter and laughing. I on the other hand glancing at his face, what a bunch of expressions I am getting to see... (He has to have diploma in emotions.)

(Sometimes he smiles so brightly.

Sometimes he is all serious.

Sometimes he says embarrassing things without bating an eye. And a little misleading as well.

Then he looks directly at me and say that he likes my ideal thinking.

I feel like… I am getting a little closer to him.)

I felt quite a comfort in my heart. *Don Don Don* I didn't know why my heart was beating so fast...

Eventually, we reached his home. He passed me the umbrella and went inside the gate to land to a rain safe area [ Under the roof ] and turned to me.

“Thank you,” he said. “don’t get drenched, yeah?”

I gave him a small wave after and walked away.

As I walked off through the rain, I thought for a moment.

(I didn’t want the conversation to end.

I didn’t want the rain to stop.