The Disconsolate Maiden

Chapter Thirty-Three

The night of the prom...

After having been accepted into the idol company, Homura was slowly getting eaten away on the inside, knowing she wasn't the one Jyushimatsu wanted.

It had been exactly two weeks since her father had disowned her, moving to the old capital in Japan to further his career as a businessman.

Aching on the inside, the disconsolate girl opened up her closet, dark bags under her eyes as she looked for her prom dress.

"I can't go to this..." Homura thought to herself, even though, Jyushimatsu had just been saying they were close friends to anyone who asked. "There's no way..."

Yet, the elegant, pastel dress called out to Homura, screaming for her to wear it. It would be a shame for the beautiful dress her grandparents had given her to go to waste. The dress was far more beautiful than Homura knew she would ever be, and she felt slightly honored to own such a garment.

"But Jyushimatsu doesn't love me," Homura reminded herself. "I was such a fool...to think he ever would. He's just been using me, hasn't he? No sane person could ever love me..."

Homura's phone buzzed on the desk in her room, going in a full circle from the strong vibrations it gave off. Someone was calling her.

Sighing, Homura abandoned her dress in her closet and quickly picked up the phone, answering it.

"H-Hello?" Homura asked, her voice shaking just a bit. "T-This is Kanojo Homura..."

"Homura!" Jyushimatsu said excitedly, yet his voice was much more smooth and mature than normal. "When do you want me to pick you up?"

Panicking, for she hadn't gotten herself ready, Homura glanced at the clock in her room. It was two hours before the school began to allow students in the gym, the "ballroom".

"Aaa..." Homura laughed nervously. "I-I suppose we...I-I mean y-you c-can pick me up around...t-twenty minutes before it starts? It d-doesn't talk long for me to get to school!"

"I'll be there then!" Jyushimatsu laughed then hung up, not allowing the terrified girl to speak another word.

"I need to hurry," Homura sighed, jerking her hair out of her usual braid. "I don't have much time..."

After having gotten herself ready, as expected, Jyushimatsu was at her house early, knocking insanely at the door.

"I'm here! I'm here! I'm here!" he laughed from the outside.

Homura hurriedly answered the door, tripping over her dress in her formal heels just a little. She wasn't used to wearing such refined clothing, considering her family was quite frugal. Well, they had been formal. The Kanojo family was no longer a "family".

As she opened the door, guilt washed over the girl.

"Idols aren't supposed to date...or go out..." Homura thought to herself, feelings as if a cold hand was squeezing her thudding heart. "B-But this isn't a date...he's just a friend...right..? That's always how I've seen Jyushimatsu, isn't it...?"

"You're so beautiful!" Jyushimatsu gasped, his mouth agape in awe. "I'm so glad I'm the one who gets to go with you!"

Homura laughed nervously, blushing a little. Luckily though, since it was already dark, Jyushimatsu couldn't see her pink tinted cheeks.

"Are you ready?" Jyushimatsu asked, gently taking the girl's hand, kindly leading her out of the house.

Homura nodded her head, exhaling a little. She felt all warm and fuzzy inside. Through her white, silky gloves, she could feel the warmth of his baby soft palms. Yet, his warmth seemed to be screaming something much more than friendship that evening.

Thousands of bright stars twinkled above the two as they walked down the sidewalk, side by side. Really, it was almost like they were a couple.

"A couple..." Homura thought to herself, another pang to shatter her heart. "A couple that cannot be..."

"Aren't the stars beautiful tonight?" Jyushimatsu asked, still holding Homura's hand. He was controlling himself so well, having never held hands with a girl, let alone, walked one to the school prom. "It's almost like they're shining down on us. Karamatsu would say, 'The heavens approve!'"

Jyushimatsu laughed a little, picking up his slow paced walking speed.

Homura didn't say anything, trying her best to smile.

"If I at least look happy, Jyushimatsu won't worry, right? I can't love him. He loved Yuka. I've always wanted to be an idol because of Yuka...but Yuka..." Homura blinked her eyes rapidly, hoping the boy didn't notice she was about to cry.

"Homura," Jyushimatsu said seriously, letting go of the girl's hand. They were in front of the school gates now. A few students were walking together a few feet ahead, giggling about nonsense. "I need to tell you something tonight."