Âmes en peine (English ver.)

¹⁵ 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐤𝐲

—All right, Hoshino, enough of this secrecy. Tell me everything.

Hana hadn't even had time to get back to her seat before Sora Amano fell on her. Her gaze was determined, and even if Hana didn't know exactly what her comrade was accusing her of, she didn't need to be a mind reader to know that her interlocutor wouldn't give up.

—Good morning, retorted the brunette, placing her bag on her table.

—Yeah, yeah, hello, replied Amano, brushing aside her words with a sweep of his hand. What's up?

—What ?

The classroom was stiflingly hot. In the middle of June, temperatures had soared, and most students avoided staying in the room as much as possible. The two girls were therefore practically the only ones in the room, a detail that Amano appreciated, as she intended to grill her friend for the next few minutes. A toothy grin stretched her lips.

—Don't pretend like you don't know what I'm talking about, said the little brunette, playing with one of her short locks of hair. When were you going to tell me about this ?

Although Hana still didn't know what Amano was talking about, she was beginning to have serious suspicions about the question. But betraying herself was out of the question, so when in doubt, the young woman pretended to have no clue. Quietly, she took out the peach juice she'd bought earlier from the vending machine and stuck her straw in it.

—Be more specific, Amano.

Dramatically, her classmate began to sigh loudly, attracting the attention of the few students entering the classroom. Hana praised the gods that there were no more witnesses in the vicinity.

‑I wondered where you were hiding during breaks, began Amano in a confidential tone. So I followed you without you noticing. Besides, you'll never guess what I saw. Or rather, who.

While drinking from the straw, Hana raised one of her eyebrows. She didn't even have time to take offense at the fact that her comrade had followed her, when the latter ended up saying one of the most absurd things she'd ever heard.

—Are you guys dating ?

Hana almost choked on her drink. She didn't care if Amano knew about her and Akaashi, but the fact that she had the wrong idea was another matter.

—Of course not, she immediately replied in a low voice.

—But you two seemed rather close, remarked Amano, giving her an implied look. And don't lie.

—It's not exactly what you think, Hana revealed with a shrug. We're just friends with benefits... thought we're not even really friends.

—Oh wow, exclaimed the student, whose eyes were as round as saucers. I'd expected anything but that. You're telling me that you and Keisuke Aka...

—Shh, keep it down, exclaimed the student, beckoning her to lower his voice.

—Hoshino, why didn't you tell me? Her classmate whispered.

—Because you never asked, she answered honestly. We just sleep together from time to time. Apart from that, there's not much to tell.

Well, almost.

—You're hooking up with a really hot last year student and you're telling me it's not a big deal? Repeated the little brunette, as if her classmate had said the most idiotic thing she'd ever heard.

—Bah...

—How did you make him into you? Cut in Amano, whose eyes sparkled with curiosity.  I've heard he's more of a one-night stand kind of guy, not the type to stay with the same person. Are you two exclusive ?

Amano's last sentence echoed in Hana's mind without a clear answer. It was true that on her side, she didn't have this kind of relationship with anyone else. But what about his side ? They'd never really discussed it, and Hana didn't feel legitimate asking him such a thing. She didn't want to be too invasive. What he did with his life was none of her business, even if the idea of him switching from her to another girl didn't particularly thrill her.

—I don't know, Hana finally admitted after a few moments of thinking. But it's not impossible.

—Well, at least we know he likes you more than your rival, Amano relativized, offering her a knowing smile.

—There's no competition because we don't owe each other anything, cut in Hana, a little annoyed. We're not together.

—Yeah, I understand that, but I was talking about Akane Midori.

—Midori? Repeated the figure skater, convinced she'd heard the name somewhere before. Sounds familiar.

—She's the president of the student committee, Sora informed her as if she was reciting a text she'd memorized. And her parents run a big modeling agency, which she should join when she graduates. She's a really pretty and smart girl who's very popular at school. But the thing you need to know about her is that Midori is in Akaashi's class, and they had an affair. Rumor has it...

Amano rambled on about Midori's life with such passion that Hana didn't dare to interrupt her. However, when she began to talk about Midori's obvious crush for the young man, Hana was already losing interest. Firstly, because she didn't really care, but mainly because a new notification on her phone had caught her attention far more than her comrade's far-fetched theories.

—Hey, are you listening to me?

Caught red-handed, Hana hurriedly put her cell phone away and looked up at Amano. At the same time, she realized that most of the students had returned to the classroom. Class was about to start.

—Sorry, she breathed simply.

—Was that him? Amano asked, giving her a suggestive raised eyebrow.

—Yes, replied the young woman, making no attempt to evade the question. He's going to help me study for the first semester exams, she added, anticipating her classmate's next words.

—Ouuuh, like you guys are really going to work, joked Amano, chuckling.

At the same moment, the Japanese teacher entered and silence fell. But just before the class actually began, there was one last thing the brunette had to make sure of: that Sora Amano kept her secret.

If her relationship with Akaashi were to spread, no doubt all the spotlights would be on her and the students would make the connection between her name and her late parents. It was bad enough for her to hear teachers whispering about her in the corridors, no need for the students to start doing the same.

Besides, Hana knew that her childhood friend, Kazuya Shirai, didn't hold Akaashi in his heart. And protective as he was of her, she didn't want to risk him lecturing her about her life choices.

—Amano, Hana called in a low voice. Promise me you'll keep this to yourself. Please, she added in an almost imploring tone.

—Lips are sealed.

And then, linking word to gesture, Amano mimed her closing her lips with an imaginary zipper before throwing the key over her shoulder.