Ye old Willow

Part 10 School

The sun had just peaked out from beyond the edges of the landscape. Causing the buildings around their house to glow with unnatural warmth and with the glittering snow shining gently, it was a sight worth beholding.

However ignoring all this as most people do, Ayla was about to rush out the door, only to be stopped by a unnatural weight on top of her back. “Whats this?” she asked somewhat shyly already knowing the answer.

“A backpack.” Fray said rather plainly.

“Why would I need one of these?”

He crossed his arms, “You tell me.”

She tried her best to come up with an adequate excuse, anything but the truth. “Were going camping?”

Fray who was already used to this behavior of hers, stated rather bluntly, “Nope. We got school.”

“But- But- But- I need to meet with Kazuki.” She stuttered.

He smiled, “He won't be there.”

“How do you know?” She asked.

Fray shrugged his shoulders. “Oh. He's got something else he's doing today. He told me explicitly he would show up at the willow tree later in the day, so there is no point waiting.”

“Then whats he doing?”

Fray avoided her gaze and started on the walk to school.

Ayla took that reaction as if he knew what Kazuki was doing, so she made sure to hound him all the way to school. He however managed to keep his mouth shut.

As they approached the main gate of the school she understood why.

There amidst a crowd of girls stood Kazuki, her Kazuki. Although even from that distance she could tell something was off. His eyes were serious and no smile leaked from his features. He didn't so much as gather but attract the girls around him. Hearts obviously in their eyes.

Ayla could feel her face turning red, and she could feel the small tinge of anger boiling up inside of her. Fray placed his hand on her shoulder and told her to calm down. Why did he know that she was angry? When she didn't even understand why?

The bell rang for class and Kazuki turned to face the gate, his eyes sweeping over her, before turning and heading to his class. Girls still following in his wake.

“Fray,” she asked emotionless, “That is Kazuki right?”

“Yup.” he answered.

“He's going to our school, right?”

“Yup.” He replied again, not deviating from his original answer.

“He was surrounded by girls right?” Her voice shook slightly as she asked.

Fray ignored his sister's denseness and answered honestly, “Yup.”

“Can you reply with anything besides 'yep?'”

“Yep, I mean yes...”

Ayla stared forward, her thoughts equivalent to that of a cloud. Aloof and floating, she did not understand where to take her thoughts. “But Kazuki said he's never been to school before.”

Fray nodded his head in agreement, “He told me that too. Which is why, this is considered a surprise. Sis. This IS the first time he's gone to school.”

His sister just walked in a daze to her homeroom class.

Fray sat in silence. Although he knew Kazuki would be attending, He didn't know Kazuki would act like that. Something was up. He should not have had that expression, it didn't suit him. Nor did it seem like it was natural.