Kokuhaku: Part 1 of A Tanabata Story

Chapter 4

Principal Wakahisa's introductory comments droned on endlessly. Filled with vague aphorisms and clichéd references to nature, his speech was intended to be wise and inspirational. Instead, the muddy echoes of his words bouncing between the walls of the gymnatorium lulled everyone-even the teachers standing at the back of the room-into a dull stupor.

"Jan-ken-pon" Takashi and Jack chanted together in hoarse whispers while jerking their fists at each other. They kept their hands low so the teachers wouldn't notice. They were supposed to be sitting seiza on the floor in nice even rows, but most students slouched on crossed legs or even kept one knee up. Even so, their game wouldn't have gone undetected long if their teachers made any effort to pay attention.

On pon, Jack threw paper and Takashi threw scissors. With reflexes honed from years of junior high experience, Takashi slapped the back of Jack's hand before he could pull it back. The slap was loud enough to turn the heads of nearby students. Even a few teachers stirred in their stupor.

Jack and Takashi ducked their heads, snickering. Jackdidn't hear the name mentioned from the lectern but it seemed familiar. "Pssst." He hissed at Riku slumped half-asleep next to him.

Riku's glassy-eyes looked as if it hurt to keep them open.

"What did he say?"

"He's just naming the two poor suckers that got pushed into replacing the vice president..." Riku yawned, "...who transferred to another school at the start of term."

"Two replacements?"

"Yeah, it's stupid. They're having a special election even though the regular elections are only a few months away. No one wanted to run."

A second-year student walked out to the lectern and introduced himself as Yuuki Ishihara. He started uttering well-worn platitudes about working hard to make the school a better place which only principal Wakahisa could have enjoyed.

Boredom struck Jack so hard that he even lost interest in playing janken. The speech eventually ended with polite applause of relief.

Then Miko walked out to the lectern.

Jack sat up. "Eh?"

Daichi, from the soccer club, sat in front of them. He tilted his head toward them and muttered over his shoulder. "Our homeroom teacher pushed her into running. She thinks it will set Miyamoto-san up to be president next year."

Both Jack and Takashi sat up straighter, straining for a glimpse of the long-haired girl standing on the stage. Jack had never heard her speak without the hubbub of surrounding students. He sat entranced as her warm rich voice filled the auditorium. It was nothing like the "cute" high-pitched voice so many girls adopted. It was as if she didn't care if others thought she was cute or not. Staring at her until everything else faded, he wondered how his name might sound coming from her mouth.

Miko's speech ended. Jack couldn't remember a word she had said, but he and Takashi competed with the rest of the students to see who could applaud more enthusiastically. Even the teachers applauded, while sprinkled around the room, a few students risked admonishment by rising to their feet and cheering.

Among them, the girls wore red and white ribbons in their hair and the guys had pinned small pieces of the same to the lapels of their blazers. They were the colors worn by a temple maiden or a miko.

Takashi nodded at them and mouthed over the noise, "Fan club."

七夕

The air shimmered with the heat rising from the courtyard's pavement. Though surrounded by green trees and cool shade, Jack and the other students of Atarachi High remained trapped in that cement oven of a courtyard. It was time for lunch and everything had to be done in a careful and orderly fashion, which meant everything took more than twice as long as necessary.