Koi No Yokan (gojo x oc)

9. Anniversary

November 2005
Nearly 3 months later.

"There's a fork in the road that everyone reaches before they die. A right path that offers you everything you've ever wanted. It'll lure you in with sweet scents and the voices of everyone you've ever loved. They tell you that this road guarantees happiness and peace.

There are three types of people who approach these paths: the majority, who don't even bother to look at the left path, those who see it, consider it, but ultimately choose the right path because it's happier or easier, then there's those who see both paths and, for some reason, go left. They choose life, even if it means enduring more suffering and pain.

My mother used to say that only the strongest of souls could understand the point of choosing the left path. Reasons like those who are still alive or the world itself needing them—"

"Bullshit."

"Satoru," Suguru scolds. "I think that's a very lovely theory, Kaede-chan. Your mom seemed really insightful."

"She was. Then again, those were the words of a dying woman." A laugh leaves my lips in a half-hearted breath. "Regardless, try not to shoot my siblings down like that later. I doubt they'll take it as well."

"If we make it in time," Suguru points out. "We were supposed to start an hour ago."

"It doesn't matter," Satoru says pompously, "Once it starts, we'll end it quickly."

His complacence–unbecoming as it seems–isn't unwarranted. A rumor began to spread a few weeks ago; one that involves each of us being evaluated for promotion to special grade. (Although, none of us are quite sure how true that is, since every time we pester Yaga he tells us to "stop asking such ridiculous questions.")

Still, a rumor like that surely unsettles Kyoto High. All of their students years one through three arrived early this morning, a couple fourth year reserves joining them as well.

"You say that as if they'll let us participate altogether." The inability to feel excited for my first exchange event makes me slump further into my seat. There's no rush of competition, knowing Momo and Tomiji are patiently waiting for me at Hama's. Every second that passes threatens to break their hearts should I not make it before sundown. "They're probably plotting all the different ways they can tip the challenges to their favor right now."

Satoru pounds his fist into his palm. "We'll crush them, no matter what."

"More than that," Suguru's hand finds my shoulder, squeezing firmly. "We'll get you home on time, no matter what."

Yaga Sensei rips the door to our waiting area open. "The Kyoto school is ready for you now."

The three of us straighten up, stretching largely from being glued to these seats for the past hour. When we arrive in the courtyard, Kyoto Tech has lined themselves up neatly, ogling each of us like animals in a zoo. A woman stands before them with a tight-lipped smile. Her brunette hair is slicked back into a bun, hands clasped above a deep purple kimono. "We thank you for welcoming us into your school another year. My name is Ide Naoko, and I'd like to introduce to you our students, who have been training hard in preparation for this day."

I'd observe the formality of it on any other day. I'd listen carefully to each of their names, meeting their eyes as I try my best to remember. But today–this particularly dark, disgusting day–my gaze falls to the floor. I mumble, "Taking so long."

"Sorry," Satoru hears me, and puts a hand up before Ide-san can continue listing the second years. "We're in a bit of a rush, and there's really no point in telling us all of their names."