UNEXPECTED part 9 ~FINALE~ ^.^
Miyuki looked around the arts room. It was naturally deserted. There were a few covered paintings scattered at the room. Chairs were placed in front each of the paintings. On the open cabinet at the right side of the room were different kinds of art materials where students could choose freely. Various types of paint were arranged neatly on the floor.
Miyuki was amazed. It was her first time to enter the room. It was probably because she never dared sign up in the arts club. She couldn’t have tried anyway. She doesn’t have a single drop of arts skill in her blood.
“So…” Miyuki started to speak. “What brought us here?”
Nanako sighed, probably to ease the nervousness. She then turned around to face Miyuki.
“It’s about Chinen-kun,” Nanako said softly, looking at her. Sure enough, Miyuki’s expression turned from curiosity to slight annoyance.
“What Nanako,” she said crossly. “You are still going to protect him?”
“Just listen to me, Miyuki…” pleaded Nanako. “It’s not his fault…”
Miyuki didn’t answer.
“That day…” Nanako continued. “I forced him to kiss me….”
“Excuse me?” Miyuki looked aghast.
“Okay, not really forced but…” said Nanako, searching for the right words to say. “I triggered him. I told him, he might like you after all. And then, he got angry for some reason…”
“But─”
“And then you saw us. He was so shocked; you could see it clearly etched on his face. It was the first time I saw him like that. He wanted so badly to explain, but you didn’t wait for him to do so…”
“I have my own reasons…” said Miyuki defensively.
“After that, you just ran…” continued Nanako softly. “He was about to come after you, but I told him to stay…he faced me. He was so angry he told me everything’s my fault. Now that I think of it, it really is…”
“It’s not…” answered Miyuki.
“Yeah, it is,” said Nanako. She was almost at the verge of tears. “And then, he admitted it Miyuki. He said he likes you. He said I was the exact opposite of you and if anything bad happens, he would kill me…”
“I don’t believe it,” Miyuki said quietly.
“Miyu, open your eyes…” said Nanako. “You just can’t see all the effort he’s done.”
“Yeah, maybe I can’t. Maybe I can’t like him like I used to. Maybe I should just ignore him for the rest of my life!” answered Miyuki firmly.
“Miyu…”
“Miyuki covered her ears. “I don’t want to believe any of it, Nanako. I don’t want to hear anymore…”
Nanako walked forward to Miyuki and hugged her. Miyuki started crying. After everything that happened, it felt so good for her to have Nanako back even if she actually did all of that. It felt good to have someone you can rely on, to have your best friend support you once again.
They stayed like that for a while. Nanako was probably waiting for her to calm down.
“Gomen ne, Miyu…” whispered Nanako. “I know I’ve hurt you a lot…”
“It’s okay…” sobbed Miyuki.
“Demo sa, Miyu-chan…” said Nanako.
“Nani?”
“I still like Chinen-kun,” Nanako admitted. “And I just won’t let him suffer too…”
“Eh?” Miyuki looked up.
Nananko smiled at Miyuki and then out of a sudden, she pulled the white cloth over the nearest painting. Miyuki looked at it. What she saw almost made her heart stop beating.
“Chinen-kun’s work…” said Nanako.
It was a portrait painting of Miyuki in her uniform. In there, she was smiling so beautifully it almost seemed real. Her eyes were nicely painted and very accurate like it was reflecting the one looking at it and her brown hair felt as if it was waving along with the wind. On the bottom right corner of the canvas was where Chinen decided to place his signature.
Miyuki stared at it…she was just stunned.
She didn’t know how long she was staring transfixed at it. Maybe just a few minutes, or surprisingly, just seconds that felt like hours. All she knew was that she didn’t notice at all when Nanako reached the door, opening it slightly.
“Think about it Miyuki…” said Nanako. “Jaa, I’ll go ahead of you. And by the way, that day, he followed you out in the rain.”
Miyuki watched as Nanako closed the door behind her.
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“Doushita no, Miyu-chan?” asked Kento, a spoonful of food just hanging before his mouth.
Kento was sitting on one of the small circular tables. Miyuki just walked in the cafeteria after talking to Nanako. She looked like she’s not herself. She immediately sat on the chair beside Kento.
“Nothing,” answered Miyuki, faking a smile.
“Something happened with Nanako?” asked Kento worriedly.
“Eh? No. I’m just fine.”
“You sure?”
“Hai.”
Kento stared at her for a while then continued to eat his food.
“Aren’t you gonna eat?”
“No, I’m not hungry,” said Miyuki.
“Yeah, you’re not hungry,” said Kento. “As if I’m going to believe that. Here!” He handed Miyuki his brownies. Miyuki accepted it.
“Arigatou, Kento-kun…” she said. She then started eating in nonchalantly.
“Really, what’s up with you?” Kento asked once again.
“I told you, I’m okay,” Miyuki repeated stubbornly.
“Okay, okay. I won’t ask anymore if you wouldn’t say it,” said Kento. “But don’t fool me, I know you’re lying.”
Miyuki didn’t answer. They stayed silent for a few moments until Kento finally finished eating all of his food.
“By the way,” said Kento. “Come to my house on Saturday evening. My family is holding a party.”
“Why?” asked Miyuki. “What’s the event?”
Kento raised one of his eyebrows. “It’s my birthday.”
Miyuki dropped the rest of her brownies.
“Oh my gosh! I forgot!”
“You don’t have to say it. It’s obvious.”
“I’m sorry!” Miyuki apologized.
“It’s alright. Just don’t forget to come,” said Kento.
“Hai hai!” Miyuki smiled. “What do you want for your birthday, Kento-kun?”
“A car,” said Kento prankly.
“That’s not what I mean,” said Miyuki.
“Then how about an iPad?” said Kento innocently.
“You’re killing me,” Miyuki frowned. “I mean something I can actually afford.”
“Hmmm, let’s see…” said Kento thoughtfully. “You don’t have to give me anything. Just make sure you’ll come. That’s enough.”
“But, still, I want to give you something…” said Miyuki stubbornly.
“Give me anything you want,” Kento smiled. “C’mon, let’s go back.
“Hmm, Okay,” answered Miyuki uncertainly.
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*Saturday evening
“Miyuki!’ said Kento happily. “You came!”
Of course I would,” Miyuki smiled back.
“Wow, you look like a girl,” Kento exclaimed in amazement. Miyuki smacked him.
“I AM a girl,” said Miyuki.
“I mean, you look like a girly girl,” Kento grinned.
Miyuki blushed. She was wearing a red strapless cocktail dress with tinges of black and matching flat red doll shoes for the occasion. She wore a silver key necklace around her neck and her hair was slightly curled. She was carrying a black mini bag.
*this is actually the dress J
“Arigatou,” Miyuki smiled.
“Shall we go then?” asked Kento, offering his hand. Miyuki took it.
Kento led her inside their mansion-like house. They then went inside a room that looks very much like a pavilion for it was very spacious. About fifty big, round white-clothed tables were placed there with equal intervals. A bouquet of flowers placed in porcelain vases were in the middle of each tables. The buffet table were the food will be served was located on the right side of the room. Meanwhile, there was a photo booth on the left corner. A mini stage was placed in front for the program.
“Wow, Kento-kun, are you getting married or what?” Miyuki grinned. Kento laughed beside her.
“My parents used to overdo things,” Kento chuckled. “Come, this way.”
They continued to walk in the middle of the room until they finally stopped in front of a table where two other people were already seated.
“Miyuki’s already here,” Kento announced.
“Konbanwa,” Miyuki bowed and then she noticed who the others were. It was Chinen and Yamada. They were staring stupidly at her. Miyuki’s jaw almost dropped.
“Kento!” whispered Miyuki frantically. “Why didn’t you tell me you’ve invited them??”
“Well, they are my friends,” Kento answered innocently. “I thought it would be obvious.”
“Demo!”
“Gomen, Miyuki,” said Kento. “Let’s just sit down for a while.”
Miyuki hesitated for a while. Then, she finally sat beside Kento. Miyuki sighed in defeat. When she looked up, she saw that Chinen is still staring at her. Miyuki saw that he was wearing a striped royal blue long sleeve formal shirt with matching black necktie. His front hair was neatly pulled back, exposing his forehead. Miyuki can’t help noticing how handsome he is.
“You look pretty, Fujiwara-san,” said Yamada, smiling at her. “I almost didn’t recognize you.”
“Arigatou,” Miyuki smiled back.
“Chotto matte ne,” said Keneto, standing up. “I’m just going to speak in front.”
“Okay,” the three of them answered.
They all watched him as he walked up the stage and stopped in front of the microphone.
“Minna-san, konbanwa,” Kento said. All of the guests turned their attention to him. “For coming here to celebrate my birthday, honto ni arigatou gozaimasu. This night is for all of us. Let’s make this night fruitful and fun. Arigatou!”
Everyone clapped their hands at him including Miyuki, Chinen and Yamada. The music started to play and foods were being served everywhere. Kento took back his place beside Miyuki and the four of them started to eat.
The scene was very awkward at their table. Yamada keeps stealing glances at Chinen who was completely ignoring him. After a while…
“Ah! Miyu, there’s something on your face,” said Kento. He reached out his left hand to her and wiped something away with his thumb somewhere closed to her lips. Miyuki blushed.
“Arigatou…” said Miyuki softly, aware that Chinen was watching them.
“Dou itashimashite.” Kento grinned.
After they are all full and well-fed, Kento asked Miyuki to dance. Miyuki agreed and so they went in the middle of the room. Seeing their example, other people started dancing too. Kento was forced to dance with other girls and so was Miyuki. She was even forced to dance with Chinen. That was the most embarrassing part.
“Fujiwara-san…” he said.
“Nani?” asked Miyuki, avoiding his gaze.
“I know others already have said this but…” said Chinen. “You look really pretty.”
“Arigatou, Chinen-kun…” answered Miyuki awkwardly. She was blushing deep red.
“And I’m sorry…”
Before Miyuki could answer him, Kento asked Miyuki to the photo booth. He pulled Miyuki quickly away from Chinen. The two of them then had their pictures taken. It was so hilarious. They were making daces all the time Miyuki didn’t feel embarrassed since Kento was beside her.
When they were already tired from acting and laughing like kids, they went back to their table where deserts were immediately served. Yamada and Chinen went back too. They savaged the rest of the desserts rather happily.
“Miyuki,” Kento suddenly said.
“Hai?”
“Let’s go out for a while. I’ve got something to say.”
“Hmm…okay then.”
Kento then faced Yamada and Chinen.
“Miyu and I are just going out for a while. We’ll be right back.”
Yamada and Chinen watched them as they went out of the room. Chinen then suddenly stood up, causing Yamada to stare weirdly at him.
“Comfort Room,” said Chinen and then he ran out of the room.
Yamada laughed by himself and muttered, “That was such a lie, Chii.”
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Chinen went out of the house, still looking around.
‘Just where the hell have they gone off to?’ he thought desperately.
He continued to walk with no sense of direction, kicking stones out of his way. And then, just beside the house, in a place that look very much like a garden but with lots of trees, he heard laughing. Chinen sneak behind the tree but then, he couldn’t hear what they were talking about. He searched around and saw a bush near them that would serve as a good hiding place. He was about to run to it but then he tripped noisily.
“Itai!” Chinen groaned. He fell flat on the ground.
“That was stupid,” someone chuckled beside him. It was Yamada.
“Why are you here AGAIN?!” Chinen whispered angrily.
“I was curious,” Yamada grinned.
“Honestly, Yama-chan, are you my fan or what?!”
“What was that?” they heard Miyuki speak.
Silence fell between the two of them. And then, Yamada pulled Chinen out of the way.
“Maybe it’s just a cat,” Kento said after a while. Yamada and Chinen sighed in relief. The both of them then looked beyond the bush.
Kento and Miyuki were facing each other.
“Miyuki…” said Kento.
“Hmmm…?”
“Can you close your eyes?” asked Kento.
“Eh?”
“It’s just for a while,” Kento assured her.
“Hmmm, okay.” She smiled and then closed both of her eyes.
They stayed like that for a while. And then, Kento stepped closer to Miyki. He was leaning very close to her. Yamada almost gasped. Kento tilted his head, closed his eyes and then…
Chinen couldn’t take it anymore. He stood up indignantly. Kento was startled. He saw Chinen running towards them and then Chinen pulled Miyuki out of the way. Miyuki finally opened her eyes.
“Chinen-kun…?”
But Chinen didn’t stop. He even tightened his grip on Miyuki’s wrist that she was forced to follow. They walked and walked for a while with no sense of where they were heading. They reached a place where there is a small pond when Chinen finally let go of Miyuki. He suddenly crouched down and covered his eyes with his right hand.
Miyuki didn’t know what to do. For a moment, there was only silence. And then, Miyuki crouched down beside him.
Chinen-kun…daijobu?” asked Miyuki worriedly. Chinen just nodded.
Miyuki sighed and then she pulled Chinen up. He was still not looking at her. Miyuki stepped closer and then she hugged him but Chinen pushed her away.
“Don’t…” Chinen said in a voice almost like a whisper. “I won’t be able to restrain myself…”
“But─”
“Miyuki…” said Chinen soflty.
“Nani…?”
Chinen then finally looked at her. Miyuki was surprised. He was looking dead serious.
“I won’t pretend anymore,” said Chinen. “I like you. I don’t care if you don’t like me back. I’m sorry for everything I did to you before. I know you probably won’t believe me but these feelings I have right now for you, it’s not just for fun. Miyuki, you’re different. And I hate myself for playing with you when you’ve already liked me. But now, I would just like to say, I won’t give up on you. No matter what, I’ll make you fall for me again. It might be hard but I’d give away anything. Saying all of this is really embarrassing since I’ve never even confessed to anybody before. But Miyuki…trust me when I say this. I love you.”
Chinen looked away. He was probably embarrassed to death. Both of them are blushing and they didn’t say anything for a while.
“Chinen-kun, I─” Miyuki started to speak. She reached out a hand to Chinen but he avoided it again.
“I won’t ever kiss you again if you don’t like it, I promise…” he said softly.
Miyuki stared at him. And then, she actually smiled.
“Chinen-kun…” she called.
“Hmmm?” Chinen looked at her.
“Your necktie is going a bit loose, shall I make it tighter?” asked Miyuki, smiling at him.
And then, before Chinen could even react, Miyuki pulled his necktie with both of her hands that he was forced to stumble forward to her. Before he knew it, he was lips to lips with Miyuki.
Somebody clapped behind them. Miyuki pulled back. Chinen stared at her, she was blushing. And then, he shifted his gaze to the person who clapped.
“Omedetou!” Yamada grinned.
“Finally, you two worked it out,” another voice said. It was Kento. He was also grinning like Yamada.
“Eh?” Chinen looked confused. “Kento-kun, aren’t you mad at me?”
“Why would I?” asked Kento.
“Datte, Miyu is your girlfriend, right?” asked Chinen. Miyuki looked up. She was as confused as him.
“Sorry, Chii, that was a lie,” said Kento, grinning even more broadly. “I just thought if I say that, you’d start to do something. And I was right.”
“But…” said Chinen. “How long have you known…about this?”
“Years ago?” Kento laughed. “Remember the girl you said was your cousin?”
“Yeah, what about her?”
“Well, actually, she’s MY cousin.”
Chinen looked dumbstruck. Miyuki was frowning.
“What cousin?” asked Miyuki.
“Well, Chinen here,” said Kento. “Was kind of stalking me on the way to your house and then when I saw him, he called a random girl on the street his cousin. He even put his arm around her.”
“Sou…” said Miyuki, glaring at Chinen.
“Hey, Miyu-chan! That was obviously just a bluff!” said Chinen, defending himself. “I just did that to save myself!” Miyuki then dropped her glare and chuckled. She hugged Chinen. He blushed.
“Oooohhhhh…” said Yamada. “Kento-kun, shall we go inside first?”
“Yeah, I think so too,” said Kento, smirking. “We should have left them in privacy.”
“Yamete!” Chinen and Miyuki both shouted at the same time. Yamada and Kento grinned even more.
“Jaa, see you two inside in a while!” Kento said.
“Chii, just take it easy for now, okay? Don’t rush it,” Yamada grinned.
“Urusai na!” Chinen said.
Kento and Yamada finally went inside. Miyuki and Chinen were the only ones outside again.
“I guess, good things really occur unexpectedly,” said Chinen after a while.
Miyuki smiled at him. “But you know, unexpected things are much better.”
“Yeah,” agreed Chinen, smiling back.
And then, Chinen pulled Miyuki in a tight hug and once again, they kissed under the starry night sky.