Chapter Thirty-Seven: Evanescent Touch
~~~~Molly~~~~
“Listen, Florian… You’re a sweet guy but I think we should just be friends. Or mild acquaintances!
Or people who just nod to each other in the hall…” I say, losing confidence with every word. I look at Suzu whose face is creased in such a way as to be horrifying.
“That’s…
good, I guess…” She says, a veritable floodgate of laughter waiting to open.
“Just do it.” I sigh and Suzu doubles over, heaving for breath. With Miki talking with Ritsu ahead of us, Suzu is my only option to rehearse with. I’m meeting Florian at lunch time and I don’t think I can keep up the charade any longer.
“You are just hopeless, Molls!” She pats my back, standing upright again as we walk to class.
“I’m sorry but I’ve never done this before! I’ve only ever been the
dumpee, not the
dumper…” I hush my voice around certain words for Ritsu’s sake. She seems fine but she’s got to be a mess inside and the last thing I want is to get shouted at again.
“At least you’ve been in one of those positions. I’ve never dated at all.” Suzu admits, casting her gaze downwards. I wrap an arm around her shoulder and smile.
“If I was into girls, I’d date you in a nanosecond. You’re just too cute!” I playfully tease, poking her cheek and she swats my hand away with a giggle.
“Get off! You’re crazy!”
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There’s still ten minutes before class is due to begin, Mr. Mutou no where to be seen as per usual. I’m chatting with Suzu, Miki and Ritsu when it happens.
Taro and Hanakio walk in.
Oh boy.
The rest of the class bears it no mind but there’s a palpable sense of unease as Taro makes his way towards us. He gives a gentle smile and a wave as he nears us, turning to the right and walking in between Miki and Suzu’s desks towards the back. Hanakio follow and seem to share our feelings but give polite nods all the same.
Today’s going to be a long one.
~~~~Taro~~~~
Okay, that wasn’t too bad. A little awkward but that’s to be expected. Baby steps.
“And where were
yoooou yesterday, Mr Arai~?” I haven’t even sat down and already with I’m getting the sing-song third degree from Sweet & Sour.
“I took a mental health day, {ladies}. Please forgive me.” I bow, hoping that will placate them. It’s not.
“But Shicchan was worried after hearing what happened. So was I!” Misha goes on, translating for Shizune. Is that a mistranslation on Misha’s part?
“I appreciate the concern but if it’s all the same to you, today is going to be long enough…” I gesture towards Ritsu’s desk next to me. “Without having to justify taking some time to clear my head. Surely you’ve had to do the same before, right?”
Misha stops translating part way through and sighs a little, her eyes cast off in Shizune’s direction for a fraction of a second. The Student Council President doesn’t notice but I do.
“For what it’s worth… I’m sorry, Taro.” Hisao speaks up, now translating for Shizune too. Huh, guess when you want to confess your love that badly, you’ll even learn a new language just to say it. It’s really sweet… I nod at Hisao and the other two before getting my textbooks and pencil case out. Mutou comes strolling through the door seconds before the bell rings.
Ritsu silently slides into her seat and mirrors my prep work. Just say good morning, it’s not like it could make things worse.
“Morning.” I offer and she flinches.
“M-morning…” She nods a little with a forced smile before busying herself with her school bag. God, I hope we don’t get group assignments…
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~~~~Molly~~~~
“Why did you drag me along to this?” Taro asks as I lead him by his good arm.
“Because I need back up and Hanakio were busy.” I say. I would have asked Suzu along to my lunchtime rendezvous but I think she’d just encourage me to jump his bones. That girl is such a
fujoshi.
“Whoo, second-stringer!” He cheers sarcastically. I stop and turn with a pout.
“{C’mon, Taro! Be a mate}!” I say in my natural accent. No one can resist my British accent. It’s the verbal equivalent of Hanako’s eyes.
“{Fine, but you do realise I just went through a break-up myself, right}?” He chuckles, rubbing the back of his head.
“{Ohhhh,
bollocks}…” I bring my hand to my face and slap my forehead. I didn’t even think of that!
“{Take it easy, Molls. I’ll be glad to help. It’ll be a nice distraa--}
Fuck.” His voice changes from heavily accented English to native Japanese as he curses, narrowing his eyes past me. I look over my shoulder and see Florian standing at our arranged meeting point with a boy with light brown hair.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, turning back to find Taro rubbing his face.
“The guy standing next to Florian… That’s Ritsu’s ex. They must be classmates.” He groans. Oh, fuck all kinds of duck.
“Let’s get out of here…” I say conspiratorially, taking Taro’s arm in hand.
“Hey, Molly!” Someone calls behind me and I look back to see Florian waving, the other guy must of called my name.
ShitShitShitShit.
“Go on, I’ll just stay here.” He groans but gives me a smile anyway.
“I’ll be as quick as I can and then lunch is definitely on me, {mate}.” I pat his arm and jog over to Florian. His friend moves away from us and keeps his distance from Taro, thankfully.
[Hi. What’s up?] Florian asks in his note.
“My buddy is having a tough week and your friend is probably one of the last people he wants to see right now…” I admit, looking between the two. Florian holds his hand out again with a fresh note.
[No, I meant why did you want to see me? I was kinda worried about you on our date… Do you have diabetes or something?] I furrow my brow a little. Diabetes? How does that… Oh, my ‘bathroom breaks’.
“No, I was just really nervous…” I lie, stroking my left braid. “But I just wanted to let you know in person that I don’t think I’m ready to date right now… Thought I owed you
that much.” I look him in the eyes as I speak, making sure I look sincere. It’s an awful thing to do but when there’s no chemistry, what can you do?
He casts his gaze down a little and nods before scribbling a new note.
[Oh, okay. I appreciate the face to face. I hope we can be friends?] I smile and nod. I give him a gentle pat on his arm before saying goodbye. As I walk back over to Taro, I gesture with my head for him to turn around.
“Did it go okay?” He asks as we stride.
“Think so but I’d rather not stick around {so let’s scarper, sharpish}!” I tug at his arm to follow me towards the cafeteria and he follows.
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~~~~Ritsu~~~~
The afternoon wears on. Being in such close proximity to Taro is both excruciating and comforting in equal measure. I could reach out and touch him, just I have done countless times before but… I feel like I shouldn’t.
I sigh in relief as the end of class bell rings. As my classmates busy themselves packing away their things, I lean back in the hard wooden chair and unbuckle my wrist braces, the loud tearing of Velcro rising above the din. I toss them onto the desk and groan as I rub my hands, massaging and stretching them each in turn.
“Wrists hurting?” Taro asks, looking as concerned as he always did. All I can do is nod and he shifts in his chair, offering his hand out. I look at him and he nods with a placid expression. I tentatively reach out with my left hand and his large hand glides along my skin, sending goosebumps up my arm.
He applies pressure in just the right spots, well practiced in his motions. It feels
great. I shift in my seat to face him and offer my other hand. His gaze is solely fixed on my hands as he moves his good hand to my right, applying the same delicate-yet-firm technique. I inadvertently let out a dreamy sigh and he stops.
“Better?” He asks, tilting his head.
“M-much. Thanks…” I mutter and he begins packing away his things.
“{Helping hand}, right?” He whispers, mostly to himself but I still catch it. I hold my right wrist and feel his warm touch fading.
“Hell-pingu han-do.” I repeat back and he glances my way, half-smiles forming on both our lips.
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~~~~Suzu~~~~
“Seriously, this thing is trash.” Akio exclaims, waggling the copy of ToraDora I passed onto him after I read through most of it. I’ll finish it up tonight but I might as well let him get some time with it while I read something else.
“You’re telling me. It’s so frustrating. I mean, I like the characters but the drama can be really overwrought.” I answer back, sitting at the table while Akio sits in his beanbag.
“It wouldn’t be so bad if the characters just
talked to each other.” He pinches the bridge of his nose. “If they just admitted how they feel.”
“If only it were that easy sometimes.” I look up from my book at Akio who raises an eyebrow.
“Right? But I guess we’ve both seen that.” He says. Wait… Does he… ? “Did you see Taro and Ritsu earlier? He was massaging her wrists like nothing’s changed. This big dramatic break-up and they clearly want to be together…”
Oh, he’s talking about them. I nod silently and go back to my book. He tosses his book to the side and slides down the beanbag, his legs and butt mostly on the floor. He rubs his eyes with both hands and then nestles into the beanbag.
“Comfy?” I giggle at the boy putting his arms behind his head.
“
Veeeeery.” He sighs contentedly. “You should know, I’ve seen you sleeping in this thing more than once.” He smiles with his eyes closed. It really is…
Doesn’t hurt that it also smells like him…
“Too bad you’re way too big for it!” I snipe and he opens one eye to glare at me.
“Oi! A whole other person could fit on here.” He shifts in his seat and sure enough, I could squeeze in there… Quite comfortably in fact… Screw it. I get up from my seat and wander over, delicately flopping down beside Akio.
“See? Now take back that fat joke.” He gives me a cocky grin and I feel my cheeks warm.
“I n-never said you were f-fat!” I protest, digging my elbow into his ribs.
“Ow-ow-ow! Okay! But I proved my point, right?” He chuckles as he winces.
“Yeah, now help me get out of this thing!” I laugh, trying and failing to get any purchase. I misplace my hand on the soft material and it sinks instantly just as Akio pushes on my shoulder, sending my tumbling to the right and across his body.
My face turns crimson as I find myself lying on Akio, hands firmly on his chest and my legs either side of his waist.
Eep.
“
I’mSoSorryIslippedAndIdidn’tMeanTo--” I try to explain in a panic and Akio just ruffles my hair.
“Hey, hey, it’s okay… Just an accident. No reason to get all flustered.” He smiles warmly and I glare at him.
“That’s easy for
you to say! You’re not the one straddling a club member!” I say and Akio laughs, his whole body shaking. I slap his chest and he stops.
“Help me get up, will you?” I pout, still red in the face.
“Sure you’re not going to
accidentally slip again and end up kissing me?” He smirks and it makes the warm feeling in my face and chest spread to the rest of my body. Damn you, Akio. Why do you vex me so?
“C’mon, let’s get you back on your feet, Prez.” He says softly, holding my arms gently and shifting forward gently. He’s mere inches from me…
Screw it.
His warmth, his smell, his taste… It’s all just as I imagined. An intoxicating mixture of lust and danger churns inside me as I grip his collar and kiss him deeper. I could live in this moment foreve
THUD.
“
Owwww…” I groan as my eyes flutter open and I rub my forehead. My vision focuses and see the book I was reading. No. No. NO. Don’t
fucking tell me… I look over at the beanbag and Akio has leaped out of it to the edge of the table.
“Shit! You okay, Suzy?” He asks, concerned. With his lips. I purse my own lips a little and shake my head.
“That really fucking hurt!” I hiss, leaning back against the wooden chair. He moves around the table and perches on the table, moving my fringe out of the way. He winces a little.
“Ouch. We should see if we can afford a padded helmet on the club’s budget.” He jokes and I jab him in the ribs, a little harder than I really mean.
“Okay, okay… I’ll just cover the table in bubble wrap.” He smirks but winces, as if anticipating another punch that doesn’t come.
“Is it bad?” I ask meekly, looking up at him with watery eyes. I don’t know what hurts worse; the lump on my forehead or the phantom taste of his lips on mine.
“I’m no doctor but I think you’ll live. Wanna go see the nurse?” He asks, his fingertips gliding across my skin.
“If it bruises bad but the pain’s mostly gone now.” I offer a small smile which he returns in earnest.
“Is everything okay?” A familiar voice asks from the door way. I look past Akio to see Hanako.
“Yeah, Humpty here just had a little fall.” Akio jokes and I jab him again.
“Ow, ow, ow…” He shifts his body a little in reaction. “I guess you’re not the only one who’s going to have a bruise.” He chuckles, letting my fringe fall back into place as he rubs his side. He ruffles my hair and hops off the table.
We exchange pleasantries before the couple take their leave. I lock the door behind them and rest my back against the door, bringing my hand up to my lips.
It felt so real… My fingers trace the skin of my lips and then down my chin. Then my neck.
And finally my chest…
jk, bro
