The Life You Live

Chapter 11

The next morning, came to school without bandages. It was still a fresh scar but at the very least, had closed up. The scar went over his right brow, the outer half of his eye, and even lashed his eyes ball but none of it looked grotesque; simply eerie at first sight. However, he did not cover it up because though he was now partially blind in that eye, he could still see with it. Therefore, that indigo eye now had a white-silver shimmer; the kind of gentle milkiness that came with blindness.

But he paid it no mind, even though many of the students thought it was eerie looking.

And throughout the next week, would be ‘sensei’ not finding it very difficult to hide his fondness for Kaya. However, he did relax in their tutoring session, after everyone had gone. Though he still referred to her as Miss Okane, he was gravitational toward her, in a way. But just as thorough in helping her master the harp. There were fleeting gazes, intense ones, or times he’d brush his hand over hers. Something to indicate his fondness in unspoken ways.

And when Friday came, it wasn’t a moment too soon because he’d begun to miss her outside their professional interactions.

And now, it was after Ensemble. However, rather than tutoring, they needed to change and head to the Kabuki theater. It would take them thirty minutes to get there on foot, not to mention seating time, so they’d fall nicely into the rhythm of the play. At least, that was what he was hoping.

Bunji was quick to change into nicer clothes. Black slacks with a black shirt and an indigo tie. Throw on a complimentary gray vest and he looked more than prepared for a classy affair. He’d be leaving his briefcase at school, therefore relieving him of any extra burdens. And it was now that he was waiting for Kaya, letting her know that they’d go out the back way. That the only thing that anyone knew of it, were they seen together, was that they were heading to an educational event because of a scout interested in Kaya’s harp playing.

So as Bunji waited, he found himself a bit anticipate, curious as to what Kaya might choose to wear...

. . .

The rest of the week felt surprisingly long. Maybe it was because while she was keeping ahead of her main curriculum studies, she was also counting down the seconds until her last class of the day. She took great care to not engage in any way with Sensei Iehiro that wouldn't be considered professional.

With each passing day she found her mind sort of compartmentalized 'Sensei Iehiro' as just that, making it easier to focus on the lessons. Private tutoring had a bit of flexibility. They would exchange fleeting gazes, intense gazes, or brush hands when going over finger positioning on the harp. Minor indications of fondness, but still since they were on academy grounds, both them knew to keep them professional while there.

They didn't hold hands while she still wore her school uniform on their walk home on tutoring days. But he would grant her with a kiss upon her hand when they would depart upon reaching her apartment complex.

Even though their professional relationship was nice, she found herself longing on those weekday evenings for it to be Saturday or Sunday, so they could be Iehiro and Okane. Rather than Sensei Iehiro and Miss Okane. She went dress shopping on Monday and Tuesday after ensemble club, for something appropriate to wear to the symphony.

That Friday after P.E. class shower she skipped eating lunch and instead used the lunch time to put on make up and straighten her hair. Rather than let it dry and it become a subtle cascade of at mid shoulder blade length locks. After ensemble club she put her school bag in her shoe cubby for the weekend. Then headed to change into her indigo dress. It had a conservative but elegant design covering her from collarbone to ankle. The sleeves were full length and sheer. Her inch black inch heels gave her the perfect height to walk while wearing the dress so she didn't have to worry about any material dragging on the ground or catching on her footware. A matching clutch purse held in her hand that had her phone wallet and the symphony ticket.