Kokuhaku: Part 1 of A Tanabata Story

Chapter 6

Just as on the field trip, once he had seen Miko, Jack saw her everywhere around the school. He would see her getting in or out of her parent's chauffeured car, or walking to or from PE, or on the way to one of the handful of classes held outside their homeroom. Sometimes he would discover her already studying him with an enigmatic expression as if trying to puzzle out what he was. Even surrounded by a large crowd of students, their eyes would somehow find each other, startling themselves with the unexpected contact. 

Riku and Takashi continued to lie in wait, greeting her every morning, and every morning Miko showed them a different expression. At first, it was one of surprise, then wonder, then a confused frown that turned to worry. Oh, crap! What if she thinks we're stalkers? Jack thought one morning. Would she report us to the vice principal? You could get arrested for that.

She began to show up later each morning, hurrying to her first class only to arrive moments before it started. Junko walked at her side guarding her by aiming severe looks at the boys. Riku and Takashi responded by changing their morning greeting to a cheerful "Ohayo gozaimasu, Miyamoto-san and Sato-san."

"Oi! Jack-kun! Hurry up, you don't want to be late for the Takane-chan sighting," Riku said one morning. They had given Miko that nickname to mock his infatuation while pretending to support him.

"I don't think we should continue this," Jack said one morning, even as he followed them into the school.

"Why not?" Takashi asked. "We're just greeting her with good morning."

"I'm sure it annoys her. She probably thinks we're stalkers."

"Nonsense!" Riku said. "Besides, Daisuke-kun says that, because of our example, some of her classmates have started talking to her. This has been good for her."

Jack hoped Riku wasn't lying. Daisuke was in her homeroom so he should know.

"Of course they are mostly commiserating with her for being stalked by such terrible people," Riku smirked.

The next day, Jack spotted her hime haircut bobbing towards them above the heads of the other students. I should stop this! Why do I keep doing this? I'm just making her hate me.

As they approached, Junko targeted them with narrowed eyes but Miko's eyes darted away.

Riku and Takashi called out. "Ohayo gozaimasu, Miyamoto-san and Sato-san."

Junko's mouth opened with a snarl on her lips but before she could respond Jack surprised himself by stammering out. "Ohayo, Miyamoto-san." 

Junko's mouth hung open. 

Miko's eyes darted up. "O-ohayo," She replied with uncharacteristic meekness. She gave Junko a look that was equal parts guilt and apology and then she averted her gaze.

What was that look about? He half expected Junko to harangue him in response. I knew it. I've made her hate me. Miko is just too polite to say anything. Why would she have anything to do with an ugly gaijin stalker?

Takashi and Riku gaped at him. "Did you see that?" Takashii asked after she had entered her classroom.

"That's what I call progress!" Riku said. "In a few weeks, you two may even be going out."

Takashi and Riku burst out in laughter. The laughter sounded forced and held a nervous edge

七夕

The "Takane-chan watching" ground to a halt as the student council special elections neared. Miko, Junko and a couple of girls from their homeroom spent the time before class roaming the school, handing out leaflets and asking for votes.