Unfit to Be the Heroine

Person She Likes

A month passed since our graduation and I got a lot of free time before the semester start. Nanami is currently having her part-time job as a neighborhood tutor. It's not that she's out of cash but she said it's her responsibility as a good person. Though I'm sure that a good person shouldn't be so verbal about it. 

*knock *knock *knock

"Rini, someone's here for you", mom said before leaving again. I can hear footsteps. No one ever visits me except for Nanami and it's obviously not her. If it was, she would push her way inside my room without permission. I wore my jacket and went downstairs. 

I made my way to the living room and saw my mother serving a cup of tea to this certain visitor. I felt like stepping back when I saw the person. "Hey", he waved at me. "Hiroshi-san?", I was startled. "I'll go and cut the cake your brought", Mom excused herself for a while. I wish for her to stay. What are the odds that Hiroshi-san, the school's darling, and the top student, would be sitting on our couch with the center table filled with my picture carefully protected by glass. 

"You look adorable in your pictures", he commented while scanning the photos. I feel like fainting. "What brought you here? Hiroshi-san?", I sat on the mini-couch in front of him. "Hmm? What could it be? Well, I just feel like doing so", he chuckled. I am trying to squeeze my brain into the next things I should say. "You don't have to force yourself. I can do the talking",  he raised his hand. "We've been classmates for three years and we haven't really talked that much", Hiroshi opened. 

Mom came and served the cake. I can see her mouth forming in a small smile. "You don't have to worry Hiroshi-kun, she won't talk unless you're Nanami", Mom held the tray close to her chest. "Mom", I tried to stop her before she says something else. "Rin-rin has an inferiority complex, you see", she pouted and sat next to Hiroshi. "When she was in Kindergarten, her test scores always made her father cry", Mom started and I know I won't be able to stop her. I raised my hand and tried to signal her but she's engrossed in continuing the story. 

And then, when we asked her classmate. It happened that she's being bullied. Her seatmate threatened that if she's correct and Rin-rin also got the answer, she will report that Rin-rin is cheating. 

"Kawamatsu, are you fine with us talking about that?", Hiroshi looked in my direction. His kind and mesmerizing brown eyes caught me off guard. "You already heard it so...", I had bowed my head. "Oh, so you also have those kinds of days", Hiroshi sighed. What does he mean by that?

"It's almost lunch. Stay with us", Mom invited and went to the kitchen again. Why does she leave after dropping such information? 

"I didn't know you also feel that kind of feeling. When you're in school, you seem to be invisible that nothing could ever bother you and I'm amazed at that", Hiroshi poured a cup of tea and offered for me to get it. I leaned forward and took his offer. 

I looked at the cake and it was carrot flavor. I covered my mouth to hide my smile. "Did you just smile?", Hiroshi pointed out. I shook my head. "You did. I saw it", he insisted. I shook my head violently. "You're funny, Kawamatsu", Hiroshi laughed. It's that laugh again. He's warm to look at. He's genuine. There's nothing in him that's fake. 

"Oh. You look like a boy in this picture", he pointed at my photo when I was in elementary. "They thought I was a boy so they let me play in the male's team", I said in a small voice. He laughed again. "Then, how about this one? You look like a model!", he exclaimed. "That was a photo of me and Nanami being invited to act as extra in a film", I informed. "What's the film called?", Hiroshi's eyes are shining brighter than the sun. "It's a secret", I reached for the cake. "sure", he said right away.

"Hiroshi-san. Really. Why are you here?", I asked once more hoping he'll give the real answer. "You don't believe me. I just wanted to make up with the three years I avoided you", he sat properly. "You see. I got scared when you suddenly appeared. Ever since I started school, no one ever went ahead of me. Sports, Music, Academic. I was always the one ahead", he didn't sound as if he was bragging. "I was scared that you would take that seat away from me", Hiroshi scratched his nape. 

"I-", I was about to say something when I saw a horrifying scene in front of me. The living room is walled with glass on one side and I can clearly see Nanami pressing herself against the glass. 

"Enter", I said. 

Nanami slid the door open. 

"Rin-rin also never became second to anyone!", she said while gritting her teeth. "You're here", Hiroshi waved at her with his usual bright smile. "Are you here to bully Rin-rin?", she hissed like a cat. "That's not it", Hiroshi shook his head. "I just wanted to apologize to Kawamatsu-san", he explained.  

Mom called us to have lunch and Nanami went ahead. "She's a bottle of sunlight, isn't she?", Hiroshi chuckled and also followed behind me. I stared at Nanami telling a story with an excited face to my mom. "You bet", I agreed. We all gathered around the table and ate. 

So, you see. The kids will have vacation so I can spend more time here. 

I will be more than happy to see you here than having Rin-rin roaming alone. 

Why don't you go to our pancake house?  Fumiko will also be happy to talk with you. 

Mom rested the chopstick on the side of her plate. Please don't say something unnecessary. 

Your sister?

She's my girlfriend. 

Mom froze and I could also see Nanami's disappointed look. Could you not make it obvious? "That's a waste. I thought I can finally get to know what kind of man Rin-rin likes", Mom said and I coughed. "Wrong pipe", I excused. Hiroshi passed me a cup of water. I bowed my head and drank. "That was just a joke", Mom playfully waved her hand. I wanted to shot a glare but Hiroshi might feel awkward. 

"So? What kind of man does Kawamatsu like?", Hiroshi tilted his head. I was taken back by his words. The spotlight is on me again. "Ah, I remember. Nanami said she found someone interesting", I tried to get away. "Yes. I did. Now, how about you?", Nanami nodded. Can't she read the atmosphere? No, she's always sensitive but why is she going along with Mom's scheme?

"Come on", Hiroshi insisted. 

"Tall", I answered. 

"And?", Hiroshi leaned forward. 

"Someone like dad", I added. 

"Your dad?!", Mom was surprised. "You said you will never marry someone like him", Mom hummed. 

"What's your dad like?", Hiroshi smiled. 

Should I describe dad? He's so much like Hiroshi. "He's like you", Nanami butted in. I heard the door opening. 

"Ayase, I'm home~". 

Please spare me from this. The footsteps are getting closer in the dining room. "A man?", he gasped and covered his mouth. Hiroshi stood up and bowed. "Nice to meet you, Kawamatsu-san. I'm Hiroshi Kai, Kawamatsu's classmate", Hiroshi informed. "Kai. I'm Kawamatsu Sei. Let's get along well", Dad offered a handshake. "Let's do that then, Sei-san", Hiroshi suddenly called Dad so casually. 

Dad went beside him and wrapped his arm around my neck. "I didn't know that a time like this will come. I am sorry Kai. My daughter still wanted to study at the university. Can you wait for her?", Dad faked his cry. 

"Dad. He's already got a girlfriend. Didn't you hear? He's a classmate, a former one", I stood up. "Is that so? He's not yet married", Dad pouted and sat beside Mom. "Did you get off from your work early?", Hiroshi asked. "No, I always go home to eat lunch with my wife", Dad answered. Hiroshi's eyes brightened. "You're amazing, Sei-san!", he commented. Come to think of it. Hiroshi never showed up in school with his Dad or even mention one or two things about him.