Snow Falling – Chapter 6 [Finale]
The next morning is horrible.
Airi cried herself to sleep and totally forgot the fact that she told her mom she’s spending a night with Nanako. So when she came downstairs in the morning, Airi find herself in big trouble.
“Airi-chan!” her mother shouted when she saw her daughter sleepily walking down “Why are you here?”
“Eh?”
“I thought you’re with Nanako-chan!”
“Busted…” Airi mumbled to herself. But lucky for her, Kenta saved her life.
He walked into her house like he lives here, eating Airi’s breakfast and compliment her mother’s cooking skills. Seeing Airi was in trouble, he helped her out by saying he walked her home last night. And that statement only, put her mother at ease.
“Thanks” she whispered to Kenta.
“You’re welcomed” he grinned.
They walked to school together. It’s as if a dream comes true for Airi. Kenta rarely goes to school with her after he starts dating 2 girls a week. Though it’s supposed to be all dreamy, Airi somehow feels… nothing.
Her mind went back and forth from Shiniji to Kenta. Why is she not happy that she’s with her first love now? Is it because she feels sorry for Shiniji?
“Airi!” she went back from la la land and realized that Kenta is calling her.
“Yes?”
“Are you sleep-walking?” he teasingly asked. Airi shrugged… doesn’t want to haggle with him. Kenta was silent for a little while before he said “I meant it”
“Eh?”
“I meant it” he repeated “I meant what I said last night.” Airi stops walking. All these things are too much for her emotional control to handle in 24 hours. “I may realize it unforgivable late, but I do realize it now. You are the one I really love. And I knew you have feelings for me too…”
Airi sighed deeply “Ken-chan…I –”
“Hey! Do you have any appointment today?” Kenta’s voice rose when he quickly changed the topic. He acts as if he didn’t say anything a minute ago.
“Eh?”
“I remember a place we used to go after school.” He continued.
“Oh! Umm. Sorry Ken-chan, I have Archery practice today.”
“Ah yeah! I almost forgot. When is your match? Isn’t it next month?”
“Yes” she replied. Kenta pats her head.
“You’re going to do well” he said “You always do”
“Thanks” she smiled for the first time and that makes Kenta happier.
“Hey if you win the match, I’ll treat you a meal”
“Ken-chan, you always bribed me with food” she pouted.
“It’s because you are too skinny! You need to add more meat to your body”
Airi hit him with her school bag. “Ouch!” they’re laughing along all the way to school, not knowing a pair of eyes watching them all these times.
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At school, everyone is in the bad mood… well everyone except Kenta.
Nanako is angry with Airi because as her best friend, Airi refused to tell her where did she go and who was she with or what happened last night.
Airi is depressed because not only her best friend is angry with her, but she also couldn’t decide where her heart really lies.
Shiniji is sad and moody but try to cover it up in front of Airi. He snatched some girl from the other class and has been with the girl all day long causing Airi to be even dimmer.
Shiho is upset with Kenta as she has never been neglected by any men before. And for him to disregard her for someone like Airi who is inferior to her in every way makes Shiho even more furious.
Tatsuya is also mad at his best friend because Kenta has been a jerk and ignored him for the past couple days.
Glad that Airi and Shiniji separated, Kenta couldn’t care less that there are 2 people angry at him. But after sensing and realizing how depressed Airi is, Kenta also becomes gloomy knowing she still has feeling for Shiniji.
Somehow, Shiniji managed to switch the seat with another student and he is now sitting far away to the right. Both Airi and Kenta know the reason. Nanako notices it but she says nothing.
But as the afternoon comes, her patience is lost.
“Airi-chan, are you really not going to talk to me?”
“Nanako-chan!”
“Am I not your best friend? Aren’t I a person you can trust anymore?”
“Nanako-chan, it’s not like that.” Airi tried to explain “It’s just that… there are something I’m not comfortable about and –”
“Forget it” her best friend cut her line “Just tell me when you are “comfortable” enough to discuss” and she walked away, leaving Airi behind.
How great, now even her best friend refuses to speak to her. Airi shuffled to the Archery field.
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Airi warmed up next to Hayashi Eirie, her team mate who is in second year. Both of them wear sweatshirt and trousers. The bows are in their hands and the long tubes of arrows is in front of them.
Even just for practice, Airi strangely performs very badly.
She pulls another arrow from the tube and aims.
“Are you fighting with her, nii-chan?”
“What?!” once again, the arrow missed its target, it landed on the grass. Airi turned to Eirie, annoyed.
“Nanako-sempai” Eirie said “Are you two fighting or something?”
“Oh, yeah…” Airi pulls another arrow out “Just a typical friends’ fight”
“I see… no wonder I saw she stormed away earlier” Airi aimed at the bull’s eye, and this time, the luck is hers.
“Yes! Rie-chan, I hit the bull’s eye!” but Eirie isn’t listening, she is staring at something. Airi turns around to see what her young friend is looking. And there, sitting on the bench waiting for her, is Kenta. He waves at Airi and Eirie when he saw them looking at him.
“He’s waiting for you?” Eirie’s surprised “He’s never been around here ever since he and Tamao broke up” Eirie talks about another girl in their Archery club.
Airi turns back to her track. For some reasons, that fact doesn’t hurt her anymore. Her arms and hands hurt from lifting the heavy bow and pulling the arrows, but she still pulls another one out.
But just that moment, she saw Shiniji walking along the side with a different girl in his arm. A pain flashed up and Airi missed her target.
“Does he distract you?” Eirie asked. Before contemplating her words, Airi nodded. “Then I’ll shoo him away!” Eirie shouted and ran to Kenta.
“What?” Airi was confused and then realized her stupid. Her junior meant Kenta was distracting her, not Shiniji! “Wait! Rie!”
Kenta has had a great laugh when Eirie told him to get lost coz he’s making her senior and team captain losing her concentration.
“The Archery match is coming up!” she yelled at him “And Airi nii-chan needs undisturbed practice! So sempai, go away please!”
Airi caught up with her. “Sorry, Ken-chan” she quickly apologized “Just a little misunderstanding” she pulled Eirie back to the field and hissed. “Rie, it’s your turn to practice!”
“But but but”
“No buts!”
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After finishing her practice, and got long lecture from the coach as she’s not as accurate as she supposed to, Airi walked to the waiting Kenta.
Her coach’s words still echoed in her head “Whatever distract you, go deal with it”
And Airi would have to do exactly like that.
“Airi” Kenta called her “Let’s eat ice-cream”
“In this winter?” Airi asked him “In this snow?”
“Yep!” he confirmed “It wouldn’t be fun if we eat it in summer, eh?”
Airi thinks if it’s a week ago, she would definitely jump at this chance. But that’s the past, and this is the present.
“Sorry, Ken-chan, I –”
“Well, I know you’re tired” he continued “We could go to that Café. I remember you really like the shortcake there”
“Ken-chan” Airi called him “I’m sorry. But I need to see Nanako-chan”
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As she expected, Nanako refused to see her when Airi went to her house.
She’s not picking her phones and not replying her texts.
But Airi doesn’t give up. She knows Nanako’s house as well as her own. Airi climbed up the tree to her friend’s bedroom’s window and knocked.
It must be the annoyance that makes Nanako pulls the curtain apart. Her eyes bulge when she saw Airi sitting on the tree branch, knocking her window.
Putting the anger aside, Nanako was afraid that Airi would fall and hit her head to the ground, so she quickly opened the window and let her friends climb in.
“Airi! Are you out of your mind?” Nanako brushed the leaves and snows out of her clothes. “If you have a death wish, do it at your house, not mine!”
Airi laughs. That is so Nanako. She throws her arms around her friend’s body “What do you want me to do? My best friend is not speaking to me. So I have to gain her attention this way” probably that makes Nanako remember that she’s angry at Airi, coz she turned away.
“Nanako-chan” Airi pulled her sleeve “I’m sorry”
Nanako sighed “I’m sorry too” Airi surprised “I shouldn’t push you too much.” She sat down on her bed. “But it’s so frustrating that you don’t talk to me about it. It’s like you don’t trust me enough to tell me that”
“I know. I know. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you I was going out last night”
“Idiot! I didn’t talk about last night!” Nanako swings her hands around
“Then what’s you’re talking about?” Airi started raising her voice as well.
“I’m talking about Kenta”
“What?” Airi shocked. So Nanako knows it? All these times, she knew it?
“You really think I don’t know?” Nanako pouted “I’m your best friend, but you don’t even tell me this important thing” Airi sat down next to her, speechless. “I know you like Kenta. I know it for a long time. But I didn’t say anything because I want you to tell me that by yourself when you’re ready” Nanako paused and chuckled “But seems like that time never comes”
“I’m sorry” finally, Airi speaks up “I guess I have kept it to myself for so long… too long that I never thought of sharing it. I’m sorry I hurt your feelings”
Nanako hugged her “But I also know that you’re over him now, right?”
Airi looked away “I don’t know”
“I can sense that you and Shiniji… Weren’t you two going out?”
Airi nodded.
“Do you like him?”
She nodded again.
“And what about Kenta?”
“I don’t know!” she groveled to the bed “I don’t know what to do anymore!”
“Yah! Get up!” Nanako pulled her friend up “Now learn that this is what friends for” she pulled Airi to face her “Tell me what happened and how do you feel about both of them”
Airi told her everything. From her first love with Kenta to her kiss with Shiniji and now that Kenta is into her while Shiniji went back to his playboy self, Airi was so confused which one she really likes.
“Well then, I guess you are the source of the problem” Nanako said.
“What? How am I the problem? It’s them!”
“No. You need to sort out your feelings and stop torturing the boys”
“Hey! When did I ever torture them?” Airi brawled.
“You brat! You didn’t know that at all, do you?” Nanako hissed “You never know Tatsuya has the biggest crush on you, right?”
“Tatsu?!?”
“Yeah. He talked to me about it. Both of us know for a long time that Kenta likes you.”
“What?” There are so many surprises today.
“Kenta didn’t let Tatsu confess to you. I guess he didn’t realize it that time, but thanks to Ichizawa Shiniji, that jerk finally realized his feeling”
“I never know this”
“Don’t worry” Nanako patted her head “Tatsu has moved on now. He knows you don’t like him. But! It’s all because of you. You gave him hope even though you didn’t realize it. And now you’re doing the same to those guys”
“Then what should I do?”
“Sort out your feeling.” Nanako told her “Find out who you really love and let the other one go.”
“Hai.”
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His eyes are on the book, but his mind was somewhere else.
Shiniji is thinking about Airi. She seems fine with Kenta. And that guy didn’t let her out of sight. He sighed. It’s him who couldn’t do anything. They are all fine.
Shiniji turned his cell phone off. He knew he shouldn’t have tried using those girls to hurt Airi, though obviously it failed. Now those girls keep calling him non-stop. But Shiniji still wants to know if she ever calls. He reach over to the phone.
Before he could turn it on, his half-sister, Shiho barged in.
“Shiniji!”
“What is it now?” he mumbled.
“Get that nerd away from my boyfriend”
“What?”
“Isn’t she your girl? Get her back!”
“Shiho, they were friends long before knowing us”
“I don’t care” she flipped her hair “Get her out of my way”
Shiniji sighed. Maybe going out with those annoying girls would be better than listening to his sister right now. “Whatever, I’m off now”
“Where are you going?”
“I have a date”
“Date? Aren’t you dating that Yamamoto girl?”
“Nahh. We broke up. Bye”
Shiniji aimlessly walked further away from his house. Before he knows it, his feet brought him to an unfamiliar street. Shiniji then randomly walk into a Café before hurriedly get out of it. He glances back. They didn’t see him.
Airi and Kenta are sitting at a corner, talking. Because the guy sitting with his back towards the door, Shiniji couldn’t see his face, but he can clearly see Airi’s. She’s looking as cute as ever. Airi holds Kenta’s hand and said something to him. And Kenta moved up to…
Shiniji couldn’t stand it.
His whole body is shaking. He quickly ran away from that scene.
Now he knows how Kenta felt when he saw Shiniji and Airi kissed.
His mind was so caught up with them that he wandered back to that park. The park that he kissed her for the first time, the park that he also left her behind.
Shiniji sits down on a bench, looking around them. There is snow everywhere. But why can’t it cool him down?
He turns his phone on and looked through all the numbers calling him. There’s none of her. He chuckled to himself, what was he expecting after seeing them at the Café?
He looked through the mail box next. All those mails are from the girls he flirted with.
‘Shin-chan, let’s meet up’
‘Call me back please’
‘Why are you turning your phone off?’
Shiniji thoughtlessly deleted them one by one until… his breathe stumbled.
‘Please come and meet me at the rooftop 5 PM. – Airi’
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Shiniji couldn’t hide his nervousness. Why would she want to meet him? Did she want to say something to him? Should he go and meet her?
And the fright creeps up to him. What if Airi just want to tell him she’s with Kenta now? What if she just wants to make it clear… that they officially broke up? He saw them at the Café and it hurts him tremendously. Could he bear hearing her tell it to his face?
Shiniji couldn’t make his mind. A part of him wants to see her so bad, but another part does not wish to look into those expressional eyes ever again. 5 PM. came and passed, Shiniji watched the clock ticking. Maybe it’s better this way… maybe it’s better than they won’t meet again.
But at that moment, he thought back to all those times they spend together. When Airi laughed or cried, the way she looked at him and Kenta. And her lips…
“Gosh! I have to see her” Shiniji abruptly ran off. Even if it’s for the last time, he needs to see her. He knew that he would regret it if he didn’t. No matter what it is she needs to say, he’d say what he wants as well.
Half the way to their school, Shiniji just realized that the snow is falling again and it’s getting darker and darker. He left the house without thinking, so he only wears sweater and denim trousers, no coat, no jacket or even gloves. Heck, he doesn’t even have the wallet with him. But Shiniji couldn’t care less. All he has in his mind is that he hoped Airi is still waiting for him.
Shiniji jumped over stair steps to his destination.
It’s already dark. The sun has set and even though it hasn’t, it was hidden behind those clouds whole day. There were only lights from the electric posts and the athlete clubs where those people are practicing. Shiniji looked around… there’s no sight of her anywhere in this rooftop.
“I knew it. I’m late again. She would never talk to me now” he panted and slide down to the floor. It’s already 6 PM. he’s more than an hour late. Of course, Airi wouldn’t be here waiting for that long.
Shiniji lightly laughed at himself. How pathetic he is, couldn’t even hold on to his true love.
Bang!
The door to the rooftop flew open, and the girl he wants to see the most rush in. She didn’t notice that he was sitting next to the door she just ran passed.
“God! He must have gone back already. I was so late” she rested her hands on her knees, gasping for breath. Shiniji couldn’t believe his eyes. The girl is even later than he was.
“Airi” he called out and she turned around suddenly to see him.
“Shiniji” she mumbled before shouting “Shiniji! I’m so sorry I’m late! How long have you been waiting?” he opened his mouth to tell her but she keeps continuing “I’m so sorry. The coach didn’t let me go. And my phone was out of battery, so I couldn’t call you. Are you angry with me? I –”
“Airi!” he cut her. Airi stunned at kept looking at him. She was about to say something but Shiniji stopped her, his hands are holding hers tightly. He inhales deeply to gather his courage before saying. “Please let me say this first, coz I don’t think I would have the guts to say it ever again.” He paused “Airi, I love you”
Airi looked up at him
“I really do. And I believe that my feelings are not any lesser than Takano’s. But I also want you to be happy. And if staying with him makes you happy, then I’ll step away myself. But if you still haven’t decided, then I’m ready to fight to the end”
She looked down to her feet, speechless. The tears are welling up behind her eyes.
“Airi” Shiniji called “Say something” she finally lifted her head up to meet his eyes.
“Shiniji… I… I have already decided” he gasped. His grip loosens. But it’s Airi who hold his hands tightly “My feelings for Ken-chan were strong and they are still there, but it’s no longer as deep.” Shiniji looked at her, unable to believe what he’s going to hear “I’m healing” she said “And it’s all because of you. Because I think… No. I know. I know that I love you”
The happy Shiniji pulled her to his arms. And Airi continued saying “But if you’re going to cheat on me, I’ll go back to him” Shiniji laughs and his grip tighten. He kisses the side of her head and her forehead.
“I would never do anything to hurt you”
“Liar, you went out with those girls as soon as you left me” she wriggled around in his arms, trying to avoid his kisses.
“What about you?” he pushed her off a little to see her eyes “You were all laughing and smiling with Takano”
“But you’re the one who left me. You also pushed me to him”
“I know” he hugged her again “And I regret it. I should never give him a chance” Shiniji thought of what he saw at the Café. His hands ran up to her face before he forced a kiss on her lips.
Airi was astounded but she yields in to him. Their kiss was so passionate that they feel like they are the only people in this world. Shiniji’s experienced lips nibble hers and when she opened up, Airi received the French kiss for the first time in her life.
When they eventually pulled apart, Airi is still dazed. “What was that?” she whispered with her eyes closed.
“A revenged kiss” he smiled, resting his forehead on hers. “I saw you two at the Café.” He revealed. Airi’s eyes opened.
“But we didn’t kiss” she said, confused.
“You didn’t?”
“No”
“But I saw him… erm…”
“He just kissed my forehead” her arms snaked around his waist. She just realized how cute Shiniji is when he’s jealous. “I met him there to tell him about what I feel. And he let me go” Shiniji caressed her rosy cheeks.
“I’m surprised he let you go so easily”
“It’s not so easy if you ask me” she pouted and once again, Shiniji couldn’t help but pecking her lips. “Enough about me. What about you and your girls?”
“You’re my only girl”
“Liar.” She’s trying to get away from him again. But Shiniji doesn’t let her.
“Don’t be angry, ok? But I just used them”
“Eh?”
He blushed “I used them to make you jealous” Airi’s cheeks are redder. She hit his chest.
“Ouch!” he pretended to be hurt “You are so mean”
Another snowflake fallen on his head. Shiniji dragged her inside the building, away from the snows. That’s when Airi notice what he’s wearing.
“You came out of the house wearing that?” she pointed at him. “I’m surprised you’re not frozen”
“I’m too hot to be frozen” he grinned
“Vain” she called him. But still pulling a scarf out of her bag and put it around him. Shiniji just realized that his hands are feeling numb. It’s fricking cold out here.
“It’s actually freaking cold” he said “I ran here without thinking” her eyebrows raised “Actually, I just arrived here a little earlier than you.”
“What?” she cried “What if I was waiting for you? Shiniji, you idiot! Is this how you treat woman?” he grabbed her fist mid-air.
“What was I supposed to do? I thought you’re going to dump me for goods.” He kissed her hand “I didn’t want to hear that. But I just realize I have to talk to you or I’ll regret it for the rest of my life”
“Are you happy that you came?” she smirked.
“Absolutely” Shiniji used his body to push her to the wall. And then bend over to claim his possession. They ardently kiss, again and again.
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The End
Snow Falling – Chapter 4
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Kenta doesn’t understand why, but it’s frustrating him so much to see them being so close like that. Sitting 3 rolls behind them, he can see them whispering and laughing to each other. And it’s bothering him.
He guesses he’s acting like a brother with sister complex.
“Hey Kenta-kun!” Nanako called him. Kenta takes his eyes of the couple and looks at her “We’re going to go out after school today. Wanna join us?”
“Airi and Ichizawa are coming too?”
“Yeah” Shiniji answered it for her “This is just my second time in Tokyo, so they’re going to tour me around” he smiled like that at his Airi again. Wait, when was she “his Airi”?
“Hey, isn’t that perfect? Kenta and I are planning to show Shiho around as well” Tatsuya said “Isn’t he a luckiest bastard?” he kicked his friend under the table.
“Umm… I won’t go then” Airi said, everyone stares at her.
“But it’s your idea!” Nanako’s confused “And you’re looking forward to it so much! Why Airi?”
“Nothing really” she assured them “I’m okay. I just don’t feel like going now”
Kenta isn’t a fool. He noticed that her expression changed when Tatsuya mentioned Shiho. But he doesn’t understand. Airi has never acted this way towards any other girls before. Does she dislike Shiho that much?
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After class ended, Airi who is responsible for the devices in their class has to check up everything and fill up the chalk, ink and papers for the teachers. Kenta sticks around the storeroom where he knows she must come. And she really does…
“Airi, why don’t you come with us today?”
“Ken-chan” she startled a little to see him here “I told you I just don’t feel like going”
“Is it because Shiho is coming too? Do you hate her that much?” he asked.
“How could I hate Shiho-sempai? I barely ever talk to her.”
“Then why did you say you don’t want to go if Shiho goes?” Airi cannot answer him, so she stays quiet. “You really dislike Shiho. Why are you so mean, Airi? Shiho is just transferred here. Why do you have to antagonize her?”
“That’s too much Ken-chan” Airi snapped “Have you ever recognized that I’m also a girl and I do have feelings?” tears welling up in her eyes. It stunned Kenta.
“I–”
“I won’t go anywhere with you if Shiho is going. If she’s there, I will not be there” Airi stated “I do not hate her. But I am also a woman who doesn’t like to see someone I like with other woman. Am I so wrong?” with that said, Airi left him there, dumbfounded.
Airi came out of the storeroom just to see Shiniji waiting for her outside. No doubt he heard everything they said back there. Shiniji pats her head lightly and takes the box of gadgets from her.
“I’ll walk you home” he told her.
“It’s ok. I can walk home myself. You should go with them” Airi wiped a drop of tear from her eyes.
“You know I only agree on this coz I wanted to be with you right?” he bluntly asked. The embarrassing Airi hit him “Ouch!”
“You know we can go together. Just the two of us” he suggested.
“No way. I can’t be sure you won’t do something pervert with me”
“What? I told you I’m not a womanizer anymore. Have some trust, baby”
“Don’t call me ‘baby’… it’s gross”
“But we should have pet names, you know?” he said when Airi made a face “I know! You can call me Shin-chan!”
“What?!? No way! That’s so cheesy!”
“Why not? You also call Takano ‘Ken-chan’ why can’t call me Shin-chan?”
“You know you’re ruining your cool image, right?”
“Aww… don’t be such a retort queen, baby”
“I told you not to call me ‘baby’!”
Kenta watched them walk further away from him. His head still couldn’t analyze the meaning of what he heard earlier. The only thing he realizes right now is that he’s quickly losing Airi to another man.
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******************************************
.
“We need to talk”
“Sure.”
“Stay away from Airi.”
“What?”
“You heard me” Kenta said “Stay away from Airi. You don’t deserve her”
“Huh? It’s funny coming from your mouth” Shiniji brushed his hair back “You had no idea what was in front of you. But now that I take her away, you want her back?”
“You…”
“You’re just a sore loser. You are the one who doesn’t deserve her”
“What? I have been with her all my life. You know nothing about her!”
“You sure?” Shiniji has the serious look on his face “Do you know Airi has brown eyes? Her hair is black but under the sunshine, it looked like it’s coppery”
“I know that. I have seen her since she’s 5!”
“Then do you know her favorite color is green? Do you know she always wear the same tie? The cyan watermark one?”
“…”
“And do you know Airi always coils her hair when she’s feeling nervous? And she would close her eyes when she’s sad because she doesn’t want anyone to see her eyes.” he paused “Do you know her eyes are so expressional?” Shiniji smiled “They were dark and dim when I first met her. But they were filled with the longing sorrow when laying on you. And they’re most beautiful when it’s glittering with joy… I am able to put some sparkles back to them. I won’t allow anyone to take it away. You can struggle all you want, Takano. I’m not giving up”
Kenta was left speechless. Was he really like that? All these times, has he been neglecting Airi? Airi is an important person in his life. She has always been. But does he hurt her painfully and recklessly? What was Airi to him exactly all this time?
Airi was always looking at him. He realizes that now. But could he win her back?
His phone rang.
“Hello?” Kenta lifelessly asked.
“Ken! Shiho is here. She wanna go out tonight. Where are you?”
“Sorry, Tatsu. You guys go ahead. I have other things to do”
“What? Kenta? Hey–” and he hung up. Until he can give the answer to himself, Kenta doesn’t think he has the mood to do anything.
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Snow Falling – Chapter 3
Airi couldn’t sleep.
It’s not like she could ever have a good sleep before. Thanks to Kenta. But not she has another thing to think over. Thanks to Shiniji. She doesn’t even understand herself, why she couldn’t just reject him like the way she always does with other men. She guesses it’s not only Kenta who is different; she’s also different right now.
Being a second-year, who is still a virgin, never has a single date, and hell she has never been kissed before! Airi thinks it’s time for her to try a different path. She couldn’t just wait for Ken to wake up and find himself in love with her, right? When will that be? When she’s 40?
Are there any reasons she should reject Shiniji? Well, she doesn’t know him that well. That’s one reason. But other than that? He’s good-looking, he’s smart and charming. And though he seems kinda dark and cold, he’s actually warmer than any guys she has met. Why not giving him a chance?
Airi thinks back to their conversation in front of her house.
“You don’t have to give me the answer right now” Shiniji said coolly “I’ll give you a night to think”
“Why me?” Airi finally found her voice.
“I like you”
“You could have any other girls you want. Why do you want to date me who is in love with another man?”
“Because you are the one I really want. I do not want any other girls”
“Don’t you think it’s too fast?” Airi asked “We’ve just met today. I mean… what do you like about me?”
“Your eyes” he answered it so simply.
“What?”
“Your eyes.” he repeated “They’re the most beautiful pair I have ever seen” Airi wanted to tell him to look into the mirror to see those amber almonds “And I guess you don’t know how expressional it can be”
“You don’t know me” she tried to stay reasonable.
“I believe I’ll have plenty of time to learn more when we are dating”
God! He sure has his charm!
And he’s making her couldn’t sleep tonight. How dare him!?! This is the first time in her life, Yamamoto Airi thinking about a man other than Kenta before she fell asleep with her bright red face.
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~ Next morning~
“Have a good sleep?” Shiniji greets her with that smirk. Who is he kidding? How could she have good sleep when he told her that!?!
Airi decided to ignore him. This morning, everything was covered in white snow.
“Hey! Don’t ignore me!” he followed her to her seat… well, their seats, since he sits next to her.
“Have you slept on it?” he lowered his voice. Airi sighed. Luckily, the class started at that moment, so she didn’t have to answer him. “We need to talk later” he said.
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Surprisingly, it’s just Airi and Shiniji again this lunch. She guessed Ken is still buttering up to Shiho-sempai.
“So?” and she just knew he’s going to bring it up anyway.
Airi sighed again “I don’t know you”
“I’m Ichizawa Shiniji” he replied quickly.
She glanced at him coldly “Shiniji, you know what I mean”
“What do you wanna know about me then?” he suddenly becomes serious “I’m a second-year student, transferred from Hakkaido. I have an older sister. Before you, I have dated 10… no, no 20… ok, I can’t really remember but I dated a lot girls before I met you”
“You dated 20 girls?” her eyes widened.
“What are you so surprised about?” he playfully asked, and once again Airi noticed that he also has this side of him “Couldn’t you just tell it be my look?”
Airi cracked up a smile. “You are no better than Ken-chan”
“Hey hey hey!” he pushed her lightly “Don’t compare me to that jerk. I don’t sleep around anymore” his mood is down all of a sudden.
“Shiniji, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing… you never asked me why Shiho has to repeat the year” he said “Or why do I look like a foreign”
“I… it’s not like I’m not curious about it but…” she paused “I think when it’s the right time; you would be ready to tell me. But if it’s better to stay quiet, then you don’t have to tell me or anyone.” Shiniji laughed lightly.
“But I want to tell you”
“…”
“What should I say first?” he looked at her. And Airi understands him. He really wants her to get to know him better.
“Why did you move here?” she asked.
“Hmm… according to what we told the principal, my father who is a senior officer was moved to Tokyo. So we moved here” he told her “But the truth is my father was the one who wanted to move.” Shiniji let out a sigh.
“If you don’t wanna talk about it, it’s ok” she put her hands on his shoulder. Suddenly, Shiniji seems so vulnerable. He put his hand on hers.
“Shiho got pregnant last year” Airi was stunned “She was pregnant and aborted in 4 months”
“What?”
“You know I used to be just like Takano. All flirting and smiling to all girls, why refuse them when they willingly throw themselves at me?” he forced out a laugh “Both I and Shiho were popular, and we knew it. I never thought Shiho would ever fall for anyone, but she finally did, ironically with my own classmate who was 2 years younger. They slept just once and there she’s pregnant. Neither Shiho, her boyfriend or my parents wanted the child, so they aborted it.”
Airi moved up to hold him.
“I’m my father’s son. He had me with another woman when he and mother decided to live separately for a while. Although mother never shows hatred towards me, I can feel it. And that’s why me and Shiho, we despised each other.” He holds on to her waist. Now Airi knows why he looks so European “But after that incident. It made me realize that I can’t be so reckless, so carefree like that. It taught me a great lesson. I don’t want to make the same mistake as my father and my sister. So I promised to myself that I’ll wait till I can find someone I really care and has a serious relationship with her. I’ll be responsible and reliable for her.”
Shiniji looks up to the girl who is holding him “Do you know me enough now?”
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“Hey Kenta!”
“Hmm?”
“Have you heard rumors about the new kid?” Tatsuya plopped down next to him.
“Ichizawa Shiniji? What about him?”
“Well, there’s a girl who used to be in the same school as his. She said she used to sleep with him. He’s the real player, man”
“What!?!” Kenta grabbed Tatsuya’s collar “He’s a womanizer?”
“Yeah, a big one too. She said he slept with all girls in their school”
“Dammit!”
“Hey! Don’t worry! You are still no.1” Tatsuya pet his friend’s head, which Kenta nudges off.
“He’s with Airi now” he said his concern “That boy better not do anything weird to her… Argh! I’ll go check her out!” Kenta ran off.
“But Ken! Shiho is coming!” Tatsuya called “Ken!” he scratched his head “What the heck is wrong with that dude… he’s the one who call Shiho-sempai out”
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Kenta knows where his destination is. Ever since they entered this school, he and Airi only have lunch at the same spot every day. Running nearby, Kenta heard the laughter and familiar voices.
“Ouch! It hurts!”
“You could have said it sweeter!” Airi’s voice rose “’Do you know me enough now?’ What kind of saying is that?”
“What?”
“And how can I date you when I know there’re more than 20 girls kiss you before?”
“You’re jealous?”
“You wish!”
Kenta is standing at the corner of the building, only 50 meters away from them. He saw them having fun talking together, and wonder to himself. How long it has been since he saw that kind of smile on Airi’s face…
Snow Falling – Chapter 1
BEFORE READING!
There are something you should take notes before reading this story
1. The names of the characters are written and arranged in the original Japanese (Asian) way. The last name/family name coming first, and followed by the first name/given name.
For example: The female lead, Yamamoto Airi. Her family name is Yamamoto. And Airi is her given name.
2. Similar to western culture, the Japanese would call people that they are not close to or people older than them by their last name. And only family members or close friends would call them by given name.
For example: Kenta and Airi are childhood friends who have known one another since forever. Therefore, they both call each other by first name. On the contrary, Shiniji has just moved here, no one knows him that well. So initially everyone called him by his family name, Ichizawa. Later on when they become more familiar, they start calling him “Shiniji“.
3. There are some Japanese words or phrases that I used in this story without translating as I think it would ruin the mood if I do. But to not confuse readers who are unfamiliar to these Japanese words, I’ll add the translation at the end of each chapter
Well, that’s all.
Now, please enjoy reading ^_^
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Yamamoto Airi is a nerd. She may not wear glasses or live a life in library, but still a nerd nonetheless. Airi is a top-class student. The only grade she ever received is A. She is the type of the girl every parents dream of their daughter – pretty, smart, talented and responsible. And everyone always wonder how come a cold honor student like her become Yoko High School’s number 1 playboy, Takano Kenta’s closest friend.
If they meet today, Airi doesn’t think they could become friends either. But because they have met in childhood days, when Airi was still a cry-baby and Ken was her savior, their bonds are strong.
“Ken-chan*!”
Kenta opened one eye, and twitched around.
“Ken-chan!”
“Airi, go away…” he sleepily said.
“Kenta!” a fist hit his chest. Kenta became widely awake.
“Ouch! You don’t have to be so violent, you know?” the boy looked up to meet the brown eyes of his childhood friend. She kneels down next to where he sleeps, that long curly black hair of hers flowing everywhere by the breeze at the rooftop.
“You’re skipping class again, Ken-chan?” Airi pouted at him. Ken takes a glance at his watch. It’s during Japanese literature class period.
“Look who’s talking” he laid back down, closing both eyes “You’re also skipping class”
“Well, I’m different!” she declared “I can very well manage to get top score even if I attend no class”
“Well, I may not be as genius as you, but my grade never went down under 3.0, so I guess I’m good skipping today’s most boring class”
“That’s because you always copy my homework!” another fist hit attacked his chest.
“Airi!” Ken grabbed her hand and quickly released. “Being so mean like this. That’s why you still don’t have a boyfriend”
“It’s ok if no one wants to be my boyfriend” Airi turned her blushing face the other way “Coz I will be Ken-chan’s bride”
Ken’s laughter echoed around the platform. “I can’t be your groom, Airi” He got up and looked over the fences “I’m in high demand, you know? And you are too violent! No sexiness or cutesiness at all.”
If he wasn’t looking at another girl at that time, Kenta may have caught a glimpse of Airi’s sorrowful face.
“Tsk! I was just kidding. I know I’m too good for Ken-chan anyway.”
But Kenta didn’t listen to that last remark since he saw something more interesting at the front of the building. Though they’re at the rooftop, but it’s actually a 4-story building. So they can see what happen down there and vice versa.
“Hey Airi, look!” He grabbed her uniform’s sleeve. Airi pokes her head over the fences. There, at the front of the third-year building, a family is standing there with their principal and teacher. They saw an ordinary middle-aged couple, a third-year** girl and a second-year boy. They can tell which student in which year by the necktie color. Both Kenta and Airi are in second-year, wearing colored tie, mostly blue or patterned. The first-year wears neat black tie. And the third-year or the senior do not have to wear ties.
“They are transferred students” Airi said.
“Yeah, I know.” He replied “But the girl is hot, don’t you think?”
A sharp pain flashed upon Airi’s face, as same as every time Kenta lay his eyes on other girls.
“I… I don’t know… she’s kinda cute though.”
“Cute? She’s hot!” Ken looked up and down Airi’s body “Compare to you, Airi. You are still a child” he messed her hair.
“Kan-chan! You’re messing my hair”
“Hey! Who’s there?” a teacher shouted from the ground. They looked over again and saw that the entire group was watching them. “Go back to class now!”
Kenta quickly pulled Airi away from the fences, but not before she made an eye contact with the boy down there. The only thing Airi can say is, he has the most beautiful pair of eyes she has ever seen.
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~ Next Morning ~
“Airi~”
“Ken-chan” Airi can literally hear the girls around her sigh when he approaches their group.
“I don’t understand the math” he pleaded with puppy eyes “Teach me~”
“I’ll teach you, Kenta-kun*” a girl blurted out from behind but Kenta doesn’t care. He grabs a chair and sits next to Airi.
“Ken-chan, you are not good at math, so you shouldn’t skip the class too much. We’re going to have an exam soon”
“But I hate math. And the math hates me too.”
“If the math hates you, I can’t do anything to help you then” she teasingly said.
“Yes, you can!” he confirmed “The math hates me, but you don’t hate me. Right?”
Airi sighs. She has never been able to reject him, never once, never will.
“Alright. I’ll stay around after your football practice today.”
“Yes!” he grinned “Thank you Airi. You’re the best.”
“You are only nice to me when you need my help, Ken-chan” she said coldly.
“Awww. Come on!” he yelled “I’ll treat you a meal! Don’t be cruel to me, sensei!***”
“Hey Ken!” Tatsuya called.
“I gotta go now. See you this evening Airi”
Her eyes wander after his back till he’s out of the room. And when the girls let out their sigh, Airi was trying her best to hold it in. That’s one secret nobody ever knows and she could never tell. It’s her only secret that she’s fallen in love with her own childhood friend, Takano Kenta.
“Airi-san*, I’m so jealous of you” the girl who offered to teach Ken earlier said.
“Yeah…” another girl agreed “He’s really cool”
“Why are you jealous of me? I’m not his girlfriend” she told them with faint smile “I’m just his childhood friend”
“But he likes you a lot, doesn’t he?” Fujiwara Nanako, Airi’s best friend said. She looked at Airi coldly. “I told you. You shouldn’t let him get away every time he wants to skip classes. He knows he can always rely on you. That’s why he’s being astray like this.”
“Fujiwara-san, you are too harsh!” another girl defended “Kenta-kun knows his limit. He’s a nice guy. Isn’t that right, Airi-san?”
“Yeah yeah. Please don’t fight.” She sighed “It’s no big deal, Nanako-chan, really.” She smiled.
The teacher walks in.
“Class, back to your seat.” Kenta and his friend, Tatsuya took their seats behind at the back of their class, while Airi and Nanako are at the second roll. “We have a new friend here”
And Airi’s instinct doesn’t let her down when the boy she saw yesterday step in. His eyes immediately meet hers. “Ichizawa Shiniji, I’m transferred from Hokkaido. Please be kind to me.” He bowed. And Airi took note of something she missed yesterday, his eyes, they are amber.
Yesterday, when she saw him, Airi thought he was decent-looking. That was an understatement. He is not only good-looking, he’s actually very handsome, cool and has some appeal exuded from his body. He could easily challenge Kenta as the new number 1 Hottie of Yoko High. No doubt other people also agreed with her. They all unanimously hold their breath when they first saw him, and let out long sigh like they didn’t realize they were holding it.
“Yamamoto-kun”
“Hai****!” Airi’s hand sprung up to the air.
“Can you please take care of Ichizawa-kun till he can adjust himself in?”
“Hai, sensei.”
“Ichizawa, you can take the seat next to her”
“Hai” he replied calmly and sat next to her. Unlike the bright playful charm of Ken, Ichizawa’s charm can only be described as dark and mysterious.
“Yamamoto Airi, nice to meet you” she whispered to him while the students prepare his lecture. The boy nodded.
“And you know my name. Sorry for the burden though.”
At 3 rolls behind them, Kenta was looking at them intensely.
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Author Note: Translation & Clarification
* Honorifics – same as Korean, Japanese do use honorifics. But there are more range of suffix using. From using among close pals to the honorable ones.
-chan = Mostly used as suffix to young girls name, showing endearing feeling towards the person. But sometimes also used with boys.
-kun = Mostly used as suffix to young boys name, showing endearing feeling towards the person. Same as “-chan”, it can sometimes used with girls, but mostly with those un-lady-like girls.
-san = Unlike the earlier 2 that mostly used among close companions or relatives, “-san” is used with those who are not so familiar with or those who are respectable. It’s slang from “sama” or “Miss/Mister”.
** Japanese Class Order and Schooling – Divided into Junior High and High School, 3 years each. The students are not called the “tenth grader” , “twelfth grader” , “freshmen” or “senior”. But they would be called according to their year like “First year in High School” or “Second-year in Junior High”
So the third-year in High School = Senior aka. Pre-College
*** Sensei = Teacher
**** Hai = Yes. (impulsive/autonomous reply)
Snow Falling
An Original Short Story
Snow Falling
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Prologue:
Airi and Kenta are childhood friends since they were 5. Today, Airi has an unrequited love for him; while Kenta fails to pick up the hints she gave and become the school No.1 womanizer. Things are shaking up when the Ichizawas were transferred to their school. Ken immediately starts wooing the lovely older sister Ichizawa Shiho. And Airi gets wooed by the handsome brother Ichizawa Shiniji. Single and sad, Airi has no good reason to refuse this prince charming. For Ken, when he learns about Airi and other man, suddenly Shiho seems less attractive to him. But have the realization come a little too late?
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Inspired by the Japanese manga – The Glass Shoe Doesn’t Fit
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© Viola501, 2010. All rights reserved.
All events and characters here in this story are purely fictional.
I do not, in any way, profit from the story.
And lastly, I’ve spent time and effort writing this story.
So please do not plagiarize without my permission!
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Author’s Note: I know, I know! I have another story pending with cliff-hanger >_<
But I just really have an urge to write this one. It’s a short story, so it’ll end very soon. And I’ll be continuing One Step at a Time.
Castle of A Beast 
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