Hibiki

Chapter 5 | A Piercing Gaze From A Red Eyed Girl

-The day before the last day of school-

The class is loud again, chatter after chatter since it's lunch time. It's pouring outside, cold. I'm not even wearing a cardigan right now since I thought I'm already late and quickly left.
          I looked back at Kaede's seat and there he was, sleeping already in the afternoon. Probably planning to sleep through the break.

          "Kaede," I called out silently as I approached him.
          He doesn't respond as I sit in front of him.
          "Are you really asleep or what?"
          I rested my head in front of his on the table. Looking at his face makes me remember Haru again, I guess I'll never forget about him this way.

          I held his hands and his fingers seemed to have started callusing, probably from a guitar.
          "Why would you rather be with me than normal people?" I asked him even though I know he won't hear me. I slowly closed my eyes.

          From what I remember so far, when I was a child I never really had friends. Even now. People thought that I'm weird, all because I don't act like most kids. I remember overhearing one of them saying that I looked like a ghost, probably all because of my long white hair and how pale I am. That was the case before he entered my life.. rather forcingly.

          "Hiki!" A voice called out.
          I looked back to see Kaede running towards me.
          "Guess what I've got today? Look!" He said excitedly, waving his teddy bear in front of my face.

          "You're too old to be playing with those," I coldly replied.
          "You're being mean. I'm only a year older than you."

          It's another playdate set by our parents. Kaede is wearing his usual black jacket while mom dressed me up again. A white dress with floral patterns, my hair. Long enough to reach my hips.

          "You really do look like a girl," Kaede said, breaking the silence.
I only continued playing with the toy car.
          "I do?"
          "Yes," Kaede kept on looking at my face. I can't seem to understand if he's serious or joking. "You're really pretty. But aren't you a boy?"
          "Yes. Yes, I am but," I looked back towards my mother that's having a conversation with Kaede's. A cigarette in her hand again.

          She looked at me for an instance but I quickly turned back. I overheard them for a bit and heard her talk.
          "Oh, Hibiki? Yes! Isn't my daughter beautiful?" She said, laughing while looking at me sharply.
          I faced Kaede again and I continued on playing with my toy.
"I'm not sure."

Ting

          A sudden notification seemed to have woken me up. I opened my eyes just to see Kaede already awake, a hand under his chin, staring at me.

          "Afternoon," He said in a soft voice, followed by a smile. "Why are you here?"

          He rested his head on the desk to look at me. I closed my eyes to avoid his gaze.
          "I didn't have anything to do."
          He suddenly pinched my cheek.
          "This doesn't feel like the Hibiki I know," He jokingly said as he waved our hands, that are still together in front of my face.

          I quickly took my hand off. A few seconds passed and someone called out Kaede.
          "Kaede?" One of our classmates came looking for him.
          He's quite popular around here. He's seen to be very responsible, kind, mature and probably every compliment you can think of. Yeah that's his public image, but it's a bit far from the real Kaede.