Tide Between Two Worlds

Karma Can Be Such A...

       The following day started cooler than usual but that was only a minor inconvenience. As the school bell rang, signaling students to report for school, Kiyoni stood in front of her shoe locker contemplating the small gift she had in her hands.

       Ugh. I really don't want to but...karma is such a...

In classroom 3-A, Kuronue leaned against a wall with his arms crossed, still salty over what happened yesterday. Shuichi on the other hand was cool about it, casually sitting at his desk looking out of the window where the school's track was located.

       "You're cool today." Kuronue noticed.

       "Hm? Maybe."

       "Maybe? Dude, you took a knee to the nuts yesterday. The least you could do is be upset."

       "I'm not and FYI, I was struck in the abdomen thankfully. I have other things on my mind anyway."

       "Oh, yeah? Like what? Oh! Did you find Ikeda's Instagram page?"

       "I did. Her TikTok as well. Was there a reason for me to do that?"

       "I don't know. Maybe...you wanted to get to know her or something."

       "I take it you have?"

       "Tried," Kuronue sulked. "I've sent her five requests and she's denied every single one. Blocked me too."

       "Rightfully so. What was the goal anyway?"

       "Dude, I wanted to see if I could surprise her with something. Anything! Girls like it when guys surprise them with random stuff."

       "Stalker mentality is precisely why I block creeps like you." Kiyoni stated.

       "Ah! H-hey..."

       "Hi."

       "Good morning, Ikeda," Shuichi welcomed. "Thank you for accepting my friend request."

       "Well, it was the least I could do. It's actually part one."

       Both boys repeated, "Part one?"

       Kiyoni bashfully sighed, "Yes. My parents found out about what I did and after discovering the money I had and scolding me to death, they both suggested that I perform a proper apology to you."

       Kuronue teased, "So you didn't go out and buy manga?"

       "No. Instead I used the money along with my allowance to buy some supplies to make this." Upon bowing to Shuichi, Kiyoni presented a small, cherry red gift box, "Please accept this as a token of my remorse."

       "Oh." Shuichi accepted, "What is it?"

In the box is a beach themed charm bracelet complete with starfish charms, shells, and pearls. Kuronue chuckled at the trinket.

       "Seriously? Eh, you know boys don't wear bracelets like that, right? That and there's the 'no-jewelry-at-school' policy. A watch would've been better."

Shuichi studied the piece of jewelry while Kiyoni educated Kuronue on the intricacies of gender norms. The bracelet reminded Shuichi of the dream he had yesterday and the images that stood out. He also remembered the video of Kiyoni dining on the beach with her mother. He had no choice but to honor the gift.

       "They do now," Shuichi proclaimed as he wore the bracelet, hiding it within a sleeve so as to not get caught. "Many thanks, Ikeda. It's very nice. Did you make it yourself?"