Kabedon: Part 2 of A Tanabata Story

Chapter 13

Jack slipped into the room and closed the door. Miko, with one hand braced against the wall and the other clutching her chest, was almost glad for the moment alone. It's all too much! Her heart couldn't take any more happiness.

A clump of first-year girls approached, their voices echoing down the hallway. Fortunately, none of them wore red and white ribbons. Miko suspected that those possessive fans would not approve of her being in any romantic relationship—especially with a gaijin.

Jack! She sighed.

A girl from the volleyball club called out. "Miyamoto-san! You were missed in volleyball practice again. Is everything alright?"

Miko nodded.

Yazawa Ai, from Miko's homeroom, added, "Miyamoto-chan! I heard they are going to make you a starter in volleyball. Congratulations!"

"Er, thanks."

"Hey, what are you doing here?" another asked.

"Are you waiting for a boy?" Ai teased. "Do you have a boyfriend?"

Heat exploded in her face. She couldn't look them in the eye. This is silly, she thought. She couldn't hide her relationship with Jack even if she wanted to—and she didn't want to! She wanted to shout it from the top of the school...and yet a small part of her recoiled at the idea of saying yes.

"Why are you blushing? You can tell us!"

"Do you? Really?"

A male voice joined in. "Actually, she does." The entire male soccer club tromped down the hall dragging a tail of excited bystanders behind. "She was making out with him on the practice field."

The wall caught Miko from behind as her knees started to buckle. To say such a thing so boldly! Even if it was true! It was like leaving the bathroom and returning to the classroom only to discover your skirt was caught in your panties.

"What?" Ai's voice rose an octave and the other girls followed with a chorus of squeals. They looked back at her for confirmation. "Really?"

Miko's heart sprinted away. She took a deep breath and pressed it down before it could follow. "We only kissed a couple of times."

"Eh?" The girls screamed. Many of the guys even joined in.

"You've already kissed?

"Who is it? What class is he in?"

A boy from the soccer club who had been among her morning greeters laughed. "It's Jack-kun."

"Who?" Ai asked.

"Jakku Patorik-kun."

"The gaijin?" The first-year volleyball girl sounded incredulous.

Daisuke, another classmate from her homeroom, grinned maniacally. "Go search Nicovideo for Miyamoto's First Kiss,"

"You didn't!" another girl said.

That kiss! Is it really on the internet? she thought. Who would want to see that? Then, in the next thought, she wondered if she could find it. She wanted a better view of Jack kissing her.

Ah! But everyone will see this! Everyone thought those sorts of public displays were disgusting. Was she destined to become one of those self-absorbed "real lifers?" The blush that had begun to fade returned redoubled. She couldn't help it if,  when she was with Jack, the rest of the world faded away.

Kuso! What if my parents find out?

The girls whipped out their smartphones while the boys poured into the classroom, laughing. A minute later, the girls looked up at Miko in wonder and then at each other. Some girl who whose name Miko didn't know blurted, "I've got to show this to my friends." They scattered, still gaping at their phones. Suddenly alone, Miko sagged as the terror subsided. Am I really suited for this?