Her Picture

Chapter 19: A New Emotion

Kurapika's POV

Since the misunderstanding was cleared up, life with Mayumi was normal again.

We were walking to school the next day when someone suddenly called her name. We both turned to the source of the voice and I saw a tall, blond guy walking up to us.

"Hey Mayumi! Mind if I walk to school with you?"

I glanced at her to see her expression, and it was still neutral. "Oh...hi. Sure, I don't mind." To me, she said, "Kurapika, this is Shalnark. I bumped into him yesterday."

After Shalnark and I exchanged pleasantries and the three of us resumed the walk to school, he almost immediately struck up a conversation with Mayumi again. "So...I brought my camera today. Did you change your mind about my suggestion?"

She sighed. "Unless you give me a good reason why I should, the answer is still no."

"I can show you some more pictures that I took myself. I promise I'll do yours well if you agree."

She shook her head. "What you already showed me were great, but I'll have to pass. To be honest, I don't feel comfortable with your request." By the time she finished talking, we were already at school.

Instead of becoming disheartened, Shalnark smiled. "I understand, but I still won't give up. I'll see you later," he said, and walked towards his friends.

I frowned. "What was that about?" I asked her.

"Nothing much. He just wanted me to be his next subject is all," she briefly explained.

I tried not to show that I was affected by what she said. Her receiving admirers was normal, but that didn't mean I was okay with it. Unsure of what I felt, I let it slide, since I had other things to worry about. I had less than three weeks left, so in between classes, I tried to figure out my next move.

'Let's see... Since Mayumi wanted to visit my family, she might secretly be wanting to be on good terms with her father again. I should help her, but I shouldn't come off as nosy...' I thought.

Before I knew it, the whole morning had already passed and it was now lunchtime. I made sure to sit next to Mayumi, but before I could strike up a conversation with her, Shalnark showed up again. He didn't leave until lunch break was over, which ruined my chances of talking to her in private.

I silently glared at his retreating figure. I was starting to regret not bringing her home before I left yesterday.

"You're jealous, aren't you?"

I jumped. Yuzuki stifled a laugh. "Did I hit the nail on the head?"

"I'm not jealous," I muttered. I don't get jealous.

Yuzuki raised her eyebrow. "If you like her, that's normal. Don't worry."

"I don't..."

"No use in denying it. Anyway, have a little faith in Mayumi. She isn't easily swayed by flowery words." With that, she started walking again.

Someone tugged my sleeve. It was Mayumi. "What are you doing? Come on, let's get to class, slowpoke."

"Right. Sorry," I said absentmindedly. I grabbed her hand and didn't let go until we reached the classroom.

"Oh, by the way...can we go somewhere before we head home later?" Mayumi asked, not looking at me.

"Sure we can."

"Great." She scooted away, still avoiding my eyes. I noticed that she was holding the hand that I grabbed. Did I miss something? Was she hurt?

/oOo/

It turned out that she wanted to go window shopping. Mayumi and Karin were looking at shelves full of nail polish while I watched them.

When they went to another aisle, I surreptitiously went to where they had just stood, trying to see if I could buy her something...until I remembered that I didn't know her favorite color.

I saw a hand suddenly pick a pastel blue nail polish. I turned. It was Karin. She took my hand and placed it on my palm. "You can buy this for her, she likes blue," she said, giggling. She scurried away soon after.

She knows too? Was I that obvious?

/oOo/

The next day, and the day after that, Shalnark kept showing up and starting conversation, with Mayumi mostly. I noticed that she just talked with him to be nice, though. That observation didn't stop me from being jealous. I take back what I said to Yuzuki; it turns out that even I feel jealousy.

It didn't help that I still had no idea how to make progress on our bet.

I put down my pencil. I couldn't focus on my homework.

I hate to say this, but I needed advice. I needed to call Ken and Haruto.

I called Ken first, since he was more sensible.

After I told him that she doesn't get along with her dad, he said, "Try something that will get her to remember a memory about her family," Ken said. "If you notice something that bugs her, there might be something behind it. It's a good way to start."

"Does her dislike of horror movies count?"

"That could work. Not one of Haruto's best ideas though, if you ask me."

"What idea? Hey, who's that?" a voice in the background that was most definitely Haruto's asked.

"Oi that's my phone!" Ken said. Apparently Haruto snatched his phone from him.

After some scuffling, they decided to put me on speaker.

Haruto whined, "I thought you'd come to me for help, not Ken!"

"I needed advice from a sane person," I said bluntly. Ken snickered in the background.

Haruto huffed. "Anyway, buy her something she likes, too. If she gets emotional, it might cheer her up. I bet she'll appreciate the gesture, too."

"Already have one," I answered, picking up the item that I bought and turning it over in my hand.

Oddly enough, I now knew what I had to do.