Swallowtail: Mariposa Radiante

An Awkward Conversation (The Class Trip Begins)

Swallowtail:

Chapter 13

An Awkward Conversation (The Class Trip Begins)

Having dressed quickly, Kaikane was out of the auditorium just as fast as he possibly could. He had left through one of the fire exits, thankfully not setting the alarm when he left. He didn't bother looking back, he just wanted to get out of there. A million things were floating through his mind, but the most obvious was what just had happened.

Itsuki had masqueraded as her sister, played her part, and kissed him. What was worse was what he felt. He had genuinely believed that it had been Nino on that stage. His feelings for her were real, and they had been betrayed by someone he wasn't even aware of. He couldn't help but ask himself why. Why would Itsuki do something like that? Especially with him of all people. He thought back on things, trying to see if she had mentioned something to him, expressed her feelings, anything. But he couldn't remember.

They had been so busy with the exams that no one was paying attention. All he was focused on was passing the exams, his job with tutoring, and figuring out what he felt for Nino. He felt so many emotions in his mind, as he thought back to that moment. That kiss was ingrained in his mind, there was no way he could forget it. It would have been perfect if not for what happened afterward. His joy had turned into sadness, with a mixture of anger and disbelief, but the most prominent one was betrayal.

She gave him so much shit the morning after he had shared a room with Nino only to do that? It just... it was inconceivable to him that someone as sweet as Itsuki would pull a prank like that. Even if it was a prank, it was just something that shouldn't have been done. Then of course came the questions.

Does she like me? Is that why she did it? Is she jealous of Nino and the closeness we share? Did she do it to get back at her somehow?

All of these would remain unanswered for the time being. He just wanted to get home and forget about everything. There was a class trip he needed to pack for, but after what had happened he didn't even know if he was going to show up for it. He had lost all desire to even attend.

"Maybe I'll just fake sick and stay home. It'll be three days to myself, which will give me enough time to process this shit." he thought to himself, as he reached a crosswalk. He looked both ways for a moment, before crossing the street. He was so lost in thought he didn't hear the person approaching him until they were practically on top of him.

"Kaikane-kun!"

He turned around, only to be glomped by Yotsuba, the pair almost sprawling to the ground. Thankfully he had caught himself and her before they took a tumble, the air being knocked partially out of his lungs.

"Ow... Buns didn't someone ever tell you not to tackle people?" he asked, clutching his stomach a bit. He took a few deep breaths, looking up at her. "I told everyone not to follow me."

"I know, but someone needed to make sure you were doing okay. Futarou-kun is talking to Itsuki right now, and Nino ran off. We don't know where she went, she isn't taking our calls though."

"I don't blame her. She saw her sister steal her dress and her part after locking her in a broom closet. I would be pretty mad too." he said, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "And speaking of, I really would like to know what Itsuki was thinking when she did that."

"Wish I could tell ya, but I don't know," she said, scratching her head a bit. "Miku and I were in the library getting stuff for the Test of Courage, it was only after that Ichika told us to come to the auditorium. We had assumed Itsuki had gone home so we never bothered to call her. If not we would have likely caught onto what she was doing."