Showered by the Stars

32. Rain fell like tear drops

(Takeshima's POV)

I don’t know what I was thinking hiding myself behind the tree.

It was just moments ago when I saw Minami-san dozing off outside her house. She looked so tired. I wanted to go to her when a car pulled over and her dad stepped out.

I was surprised when Minami-san wobbled as she got up. Her dad supported her.

I sighed.

It has been awhile since I last had a proper conversation with her. The last time I saw her, I acted rashly, I got slapped.

I felt horrible just thinking about it.

I wanted to explain to her what happened in Australia. But I guess, even if I was able to tell her everything, my actions were enough for her to hate me.

It was the 1st year of junior high when Ai suddenly told me that she and her father will leave Japan because of her dad’s business.

We were childhood friends and the first love of each other.

The day she left, she was crying hysterically. I also didn’t want to be separated. So I promised to her that I will get engaged to her when we turn 18. I loved her. Being with her was everything I could ask. She left Japan and when to France.

I was by myself after that. The days I spent, it felt really lonesome. I didn’t have a lot of friends because I’ve always spent my time together with her. And I didn’t need anyone other than her.

But somehow, I just lost communication with her. I didn’t receive anymore mails or e-mails from her. I thought she might have forgotten me. I decided to move on.

It was on the 3rd year of Junior high. I started to mingle with the other kids.

One time, my classmates invited me to a party held in one of our classmate’s house. Girls flocked around me. I played with them and yet none of them owned my interest. Just then, I looked for a second time at a girl who conquered the game against all those famous international players. I couldn’t take my eyes off the TV while it featured the girl. It was then that I found out that her name was Minami Mizuki.

Even with that, I found myself resisting. I didn’t want to undergo the same feeling anymore. Thinking about it, it was hilarious how it proved me wrong when I saw her playing tennis at Rokkaku Gakuen. She defeated her opponents so easily, even the best tennis player proved no match against her. Watching her made my heart race madly. At that time, I knew that I couldn’t stop myself from becoming interested in her.

I saw her up close and personal at the beach just after our 1st year in High School ended. I thought it was fate that brought us together. I didn’t have any second thoughts and immediately told her that I like her. She ran away but I thought that I couldn’t just give it up. After Ai, she has made my days full of light.

I decided to meet her again so I personally went to her school during their cleaning duties. The girls were really hyper but I only have my eyes on Minami Mizuki. Things kept on happening and it made my days filled with excitement. I wanted to know more of her. I was happy when she told me that the guy named Ren was someone from the past and will no longer be in her present. I gained confidence that what she told me seemed like a given chance. She left for Australia after that. The things with Ai came back to me. I don’t want it to be repeated again. I followed her with her friends.

The days in Australia made me realize that she really was testing me. Having Luke Ryan to act as her boyfriend just to see my reaction made me think that she might’ve started to like me. She also looked jealous when I was with Ava. I couldn’t help myself from teasing her. Alexis Anderson’s presence was quite helpful. Even if it seemed like he was a rival at first. But when I found out that Ava and Alexis have mutual understanding, I took the chance to make sure that Minami-san should only look at me. So I kissed her.

It was on the next day that made me almost jump out of joy. Minami-san and I went for something similar to a date. It was really fun being with her. She was really lovely that I couldn’t stop myself from liking her even more. We rested for a bit near the river. She looked so tired from the walks we took and because of taking care of Ava the night before. I shyly offered my lap to rest on.

It was good timing that she yawned, she ran out of excuses not to accept my offer. She put her head on my lap, and closed her eyes. She looked really peaceful. I asked her if she’s asleep, no answer came out. Her hair covered her forehead, I brushed it aside. I gulped as I slowly leaned to kiss her. My heart beat furiously as my lips touched hers. It was amazing how fast asleep she was, she didn’t seem to notice. Feeling relieved, I explored and tasted her sweetness. I went on for awhile feeling different things building up inside me when she opened her eyes. Surprise and fear mixed, I almost jumped out. She seemed furious. The words that were exchange were incoherent. But I was sure that I told her my honest feelings. I like her, a lot. She blurted out things about her not falling for me. I was depressing but I didn’t want it to show on my face that I teased her and taunted her to kiss me. I already knew that she’d rather give me a beating than a kiss. I was proved wrong when her lips touched mine for a moment and then gone. I teased her again, it sucks that I just wanted her to initiate the kiss.

My heart thumped madly when she touched my face, lips and looked into my eyes. I was petrified. She kissed me and explored the inside with her sweet taste. I grabbed her waist and pulled her near, letting her kiss me passionately. I thought I’d lose myself when I started to kiss her more intensely.  She pulled away and muttered words that are incomprehensible but I knew that she was saying she’s starting to like me. It made me feel shy all of a sudden. This girl is so frank and sincere that I thought I would never lose interest in her. She laughed at me for what seemed like hours.

And yet, when someone I knew from the past appeared. The mood suddenly changed. It was incomprehensible. It was her, Ai. The one I’ve loved for so long. I saw her again. The things that I thought I already buried in the past, came rushing back all at once. When she recognized me, I felt exceedingly happy. I was in a state of Euphoria. Her kisses melted me. The words exchanged seemed muffled. My focus was only her. When she left, I snapped back to reality. Minami-san was there and she witnessed how crazy I went. I felt shame.

I regretted it ever since. Ai transferred to my school. We spent time together almost always. But I have guilt feelings that stop me from enjoying it. I decided that I’d move on but the instant I saw her again, I ruined the trust Minami-san was beginning to give me. Because of what I did, I made her look like I just played with her.

It made me so restless that even in this pouring rain, I stood watching the room from her window until the lights went out.