You & I-Chapter 6 : Summer Love
Genki's pov:-
The last day of high school before the summer vacation starts. The last class before the school ends for the day seemed more boring than usual. Plus the hot summer breeze entering from the window at the left side of my seat was tiring me with sweats. I sighed, maybe a little more loudly.
I heard a chuckle from right side of my seat.
"Ato 5 fun dake (Just 5 minutes left)!" Kuraki smiled at me.
"Sou dane (That's right)!" I smiled back.
"KURAKI! IWAHASHI!"
We both stood in terror as we heard our names being yelled by our demon teacher, "HAAI!"
"Why are you two not paying attention in my class everytime?" he continued.
"Gomenasai Sensei!" we both apologized in unison.
"Geez...sit down!" he ordered.
We both sat down. That instant both of us looked at each other and chuckled.
Somehow the class ended and all the happy and excited faces hurriedly rushed out of the class except for the ones whose turn is of cleaning the class. I was in that too.
"Hehh! I wanted to rush home too!" I complained while bringing in broomsticks.
"Ore mo (Me too)!" Shohei was sulking on his seat.
"Shohei! Hurry up!" I yelled out.
"Haai haai!" he sulkily stood up and pulled up one of the broomsticks I was holding.
And thanks to him the other broomsticks fell down.
"Oye!" I yelled but he was too idiot to listen.
I knelt down to pick them up. The next moment Kuraki came. She helped picking them up.
"Arigatou!" I thanked her with a smile.
"Can I get two? One for me and one for my friend." She asked.
"Unn..." I handed her two.
"Arigatou!" she smiled and left.
We began cleaning. After some time almost everyone had left. I had some work of our baseball club so I had to stop behind for it. After I finished the work, I headed towards the school gate to go back home but stopped at the end of the hallway upon hearing Kuraki's voice. What if she is being bullied again? I decided to see her. I saw her near the staircase of the library. But this time she was with a boy. I quickly hide myself behind a locker. I was not able to see the boy because he had his back facing me.
"Hanashi tte nani (what do you wanted to talk)?" she asked that boy.
"Ore Kuraki no koto suki desu (I like you, Kuraki)! Ore to sukiyatte kudasai (Please date me)!" he confessed.
Woah! My heart was beating faster. Who is this guy and above that he straightly confessed her! And he sounded confident.
"Gomen, Takaki-kun!" she replied, "It's not possible!"
He got rejected. Uwah! She rejected him straightly too. Wait! Takaki? She rejected the popular guy of our school!
"Okay. But at least come with me to see the fireworks!" he pleaded.
"Sore mo muri desu (That's not possible too)." she once again rejected, coldly.
"Can I know the reason at least that why you can't date me?" he asked.
"I'm not ready for relationships right now. I want to pursue my dream. And dating and relationships are just hindrances." she stated.
Kuraki is right. Right now we are not standing on our feet. So we must dedicate ourselves to our career first.
"Sokka (I see)! Okay. Gomen ne!" he replied.
"Sayonara (Bye)!" she left from there and I followed her out of the school building.
"Why it is always you who watch whatever happen with me?" she said as she stopped in her tracks without even looking at me.
"I don't do it on purpose!" I guarded myself.
"I know!" she smiled.
We started walking together.
"Kuraki, you are not going to see the fireworks?" I asked.
"I'm going, why?" she replied while playing with stones with her feet.
"But earlier you rejected, right?" I reminded her.
"I rejected going with him. I'm going to see the fireworks with someone else." She kicked a stone with her feet and continued walking.
"With whom?"
"Iwahashi-kun to isshoni (with Iwahashi-kun)!" she continued her antics with the stones.
"Eh?" I was surprised.
"Eh?" she stopped as she turned to look at me, "Dame (Not possible)?"
I stared at her for a moment.
"Iie (No), let's go together!" I smiled at her.
She smiled back widely and we continued to walk.
"I'm looking forward to it!" she continued to walk smiling by herself.
I just kept looking at her.
"Iwahashi-kun, miite (See)!" I looked where she pointed out her finger.
The sun was setting down revealing the beautiful colors in the sky. The scenery was mesmerizing. I just could not take my off it. I slowly walked towards the fenced edge of the bridge on which we were standing.
"Kirei (It's beautiful)!" I exclaimed.
"Sugoi (Amazing)!" Kuraki exclaimed.
I looked at her once again. My mind was thinking how Kuraki and I became good friends from strangers. She looked at me and smiled widely again. I smiled back and we both once again got lost in the mesmerizing beauty of the setting sun.
A few days later:-
I felt nervous as I stood in front of the mirror to check my reflection as I was wearing yukata after a long time. I wonder how Kuraki will look in kimono. My heart was beating faster.
"Genki-ni! Is your girlfriend wearing kimono today?" my little sister was enjoying teasing me.
"Sou dayo (That's right)!" I blushed a little imagining Kuraki in a kimono. But then I realized she called Kuraki as my girlfriend. I instantly looked back towards her, "Oii! She isn't my girlfriend!" I cleared.
"But earlier you didn't refused!" she laughed.
"You brat!" I started tickling her.
"AAhh!! Oni! You're terrible!" she started laughing in middle of cursing me.
I stopped tickling her.
"Oni kakkoi!" she smiled as she praised me.
"Honto (Really)?"
"Un!"
"Arigatou! Hana is looking beautiful too!" I pulled her cheeks.
"Arigatou! I'll be going now. Have fun, Oni!" she waved at me and left my room.
I sprayed a little perfume on me and left my room.
"Kaasan, ittekimasu (Mom, I'll be going)!" I shouted while wearing my sandals.
"Itterashai (Have fun)!" she came and waved at me.
I closed the door behind me and started walking towards the same bridge to meet Kuraki. My steps were faster and I found myself smiling to myself. Am I that happy and excited to see her? I did not take a second more to answer my mind's question. Yes, I am! I am happy! I can't wait to have fun, only the both of us. Somehow I reached the bridge. I kept looking to and fro. The heart beats were faster because I was almost running plus I wanted to see her. Kuraki? Where is she? I could not find her until I heard a voice.
"Iwahashi-kun!" I quickly turned to see her. She was there showing her best smile.
I was too happy to know that she was smiling for me.
"Kuraki!" I whispered as I smiled back widely and blushed at the same moment.
I took a slow run to cross the bridge towards her. She was still smiling.
"Kuraki, kirei jya (Kuraki, you look beautiful)!" I blushed as I complimented her.
"Arigatou! Iwahashi-kun mo kakkoi yo (You look cool too, Iwahashi-kun)!" she bit her lips as she tried to control blushing. I could tell that.
"Ikoukka (Shall we go)?" I asked.
"Un!" she nodded and we left for the shrine.
First we will visit the shrine and then see the fireworks. We were crossing the street through a large crowd. We both didn't utter any word while walking.
"Ah!" I heard Kuraki's moan.
She controlled herself from falling. I quickly held her hand.
"Daijoubu (You okay)?" I asked as we resumed walking.
"Unn!" she nodded.
"Te hanasanai de ne(Don't let go of my hand)!" I tightened my grip.
Haruka's Pov:-
"Te hanasanai de ne(Don't let go of my hand)!" he tightened his grip on my hand leaving me awestruck.
Something moved in my heart. I felt like my heart skipped a beat. His gentleness has made me speechless. I took a glance of our clasped hands and then looked at him. I could not take my eyes off him. He was looking so handsome. I was not in my senses. I was only moving my legs. My eyes, my mind, my heart was only looking at him, thinking of him. His protective side has left me surprised. I didn't know I could find such a good friend in him.
We got out of the crowd sooner and now were near the shrine. We were still holding hands as we walked inside the shrine. We prayed at the shrine and came outside where some games and food stalls were arranged.
"Aare shiyoukka (Shall we play that)?" I looked where Iwahashi-kun pointed.
There was a kingyo sukui (fish scopping) stall.
"Okay!" I agreed.
We played but sadly I could not catch any fish.
"Aww!" Poor Iwahashi-kun also failed.
We both laughed. "Let's try something else!" he pulled me to the next stall.
The next stall was of shaved ice.
"Ah~ Kore tabeyo (Let's eat this)!" he squealed happily.
He quickly ordered two shaved ice dishes for us, mango for me and blueberry for him.
"Oishii~" I exclaimed happily but as the ice was too much in my mouth I sounded weird.
He laughed whole-heartedly on it.
"Geez..." I hated it but joint him in the laugh as well.
We walked around after finishing the tasty shaved ice. I saw a cute Pikachu soft toy in a stall of Wanage (ring toss).
I quickly pulled Iwahashi-kun towards the stall, "Kore yaritai (I want to play this)!"
"Eh?"
"Onegai (Please)!" I plead like a kid.
"Okay!"
"Yayy!" I squealed.
I took rings from the shopkeeper there and tried my first aim. I focused on the Pikachu toy and threw the ring but sadly it fell down.
"Huhh!" I got frustrated a bit, but focused for my next aim.
"Let me do it!" Iwahashi-kun took the rings from my hand.
"Okay. Aim that Pikachu!" I told him and stepped aside to let him stand and aim.
He focused the aim and threw the ring and...
"Yatta~ Genki! Yatta ne!" I squealed as the ring flew and sat through the Pikachu soft toy.
"Yayy!" he turned towards me to give a high-five.
We shared the high-five and I don't know what got into me, I suddenly hugged him. My hands were around his neck and his around my waist. I realized what I was doing and quickly separated myself. I blushed as I looked at him. We both were lost in each other until the shopkeeper brought us out.
"Here is the gift you won! Omedetu!" he handed the Pikachu to me.
"Arigatou gozaimasu!" we both bowed to him and left to watch the fireworks.
We sat on a bench looking at the sky.
"Arigatou, Iwahashi-kun!" I took my eyes off the Pikachu and looked at him.
"No need of thank you!" he replied with his dimply smile.
"You won it for me. So, you deserve a thank you." I insisted.
"Then give me something else." He was looking at me with sharp eyes.
His eyes are so beautiful!
"Nani (What)?" I asked.
"Call me Genki, just like you did before!"
Eh? I was confused for a moment. I looked at the Pikachu toy lying in my hands. Then I realized that I had called him 'Genki' amidst my celebration for winning this Pikachu toy. I looked at him finally.
"Arigatou, Genki!" I gave him a small smile, feeling a little embarrassed for calling him by his first name.
He gave me that signature smile of his. I was too busy staring at his dimply smile just then something like a flashlight rose towards the sky.
"Haruka, look!" I looked where Genki pointed.
The sky was now full of colorful fireworks. One by one the fireworks were rising in the sky and revealing the glittery colors.
"Uwaahh~" we both exclaimed in unison.
The next instant we found ourselves looking at each other. His drooping eyes were shining in those fireworks' colors.
"Haruka! Let's achieve our dreams one day, both of us!" he said.
I felt sad and upset. I don't know what I'm going to do fulfill my dream. I'm not associated with any company like Genki is. I'm confused.
"Doushita (What happened)?" he asked.
"I'm afraid, Genki. Sometimes I feel like I doubt myself, not my abilities but I don't understand from where to start. I only know to work hard and never give up. But on what?"
"You've to work hard to achieve your dream and never give up your dream. I don't think you need to do something besides this. Haruka nara kitto dekiru (Haruka can do it)!" I looked at him, "Daijoubu, ore wa zutto Haruka no sobani iru kara (It's alright, I'll always stay by your side, Haruka)!"
His dimply smile again. I was warmed by his words and I felt somewhat relaxed. Genki was right. I must not give up on my dream and keep working hard. That's it!
"Arigatou, Genki!"
"Let's promise each other that we will achieve our dream at any cost!" saying this, he offered his hand.
I kept my hand on his, "Promise!" I smiled at him.
He smiled back before turning back to enjoy the fireworks. We enjoyed the fireworks holding our hands.
******Flashback Ends******
I'm sure that was the moment I actually felt that my feelings for Genki are bit more than just friends. That summer was the best summer of my life. And that summer gave me a summer love. They say, "In every girl's life there is a boy she'll never forget and a summer where it all began..." I felt it so true now. If it was not Genki and his words, I would not have come so far. Although I've a long way to go to actually say that I have achieved my dream, I'm near to it. So, I'll keep working hard and never give up. Genki, thank you for staying beside me.
I looked at the sky filled with fireworks and smiled. It's nostalgic! I love summer and Genki is the reason for it. I can still feel Genki's presence affecting me, his warmth against me, his hug melting me and his words relaxing me. I'm so sure that I was in love with him since that high school's summer.
I blushed thinking about him. Soon the summer will be gone and the spring will come. But now that I've Genki back with me, I'll surely achieve my dream.
Genki's Pov:-
I had small smile creeping on my lips which doesn't seem to vanish at all. These fireworks take me back to that summer where it all started. It was the very first time I went to shrine and watched fireworks with a girl. I'm sure it was then when my feelings for Haruka changed. After that day, it was hard for me to look at her as just a friend. It's that high school's summer which gave me a summer love.
I've always felt that I've to protect Haruka and her dream and any cost. And I didn't realize that when those feelings changed into the feelings of love. I remember Haruka's presence affecting me, her sudden hug sending an adrenaline through me, her warm touch melting me, her smiles assuring me.
"What happened, Genki? You're smiling too much!" Ren, my band mate came and sat next to me. "Everyone else is enjoying the fireworks and you're sitting here."
"I've already enjoyed them enough, Ren!" I smiled at him.
"Eh? Omae sukina onna toka dekita ka (Did you get a girlfriend)?" he asked.
"Baka (Idiot)! It's not like that. I was just remembering how I spent my high school summer days; especially my second year summer was special."
"Why?"
"I was an idiot for realizing it quite late that I already had a summer love ever since then." I confessed.
"Summer Love?"
"Unn...I do have a girl I love and I've fell in love with her since that summer."
"I see! It's good. I'm happy for you!"
"Ren, if you have ever felt that you need to protect this girl and her feelings, don't let her go!" I looked at him.
"Genki!" I'm sure he was shocked.
"I know you very well, Ren. If it's your dream to be with Rei then don't give up!"
"Unn, Arigatou!" he finally smiled.
"Let's go and light fireworks with everyone!" I stood up.
"Yo!" we both left and started lighting fireworks.
Soon, the summer will be gone and spring will come. But this time, Haruka is there with me. And my feelings to protect her won't disappear at all.
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I seriously loved how Genki feels about Haruka (even though I've written it myself...lol). Ahh! I miss Genki so much. I feel like hugging him. Hope he comes back soon. But seriously, this chapter is my personal favorite. I wanted to add Ren and Genki talking about each other too as this story is centered on both of them plus they are band mates.
Anyways, I hope you all liked this one. Thank you for liking. Comments are appreciated. Lots of love!
Ai deshita :D