Ch.2- The Start Line

We quietly celebrated Christmas and soon the time fast forward. It was now Spring and graduation season. It won't be long until the upper men graduate, including Ryosuke and Hiro. But asiding the lone-bye day, everybody assemble and already in prepare for the final marathon. 
"It's getting warm earlier than I expected. " Sayu said, fanning herself. She loosen her buttons, drawing attention from the boys.
I wonder at Hiro. What actions he might put up with. 

He turn, glaring at the boys then at Sayu. He quickly lingers between them, questioning whom to scold. 
"Oi! Don't look at Sayu like that!" His clamorous self emerges from the jealousy. "Sayu, button your shirt, I'll turn on the AC. " his fingers in helping her button. 

His stubborn yet cheeky girlfriend pushes him away. 

"Hiro, that's embarrassing!" She covers her chest in an innocent manner. 

Soon the unison hovers behind my back. He had sent me a message. 

How could I've forgotten? Ryosuke had just finished his university entrance test. 

I laugh, hopelessly, to myself. For his lack of humorous. He's always serious.

              I'll come pick you up, I correspond.

I gather my things. 

"Mayu, are you leaving already?" Hiro asked. 

"After I pick up Senpei-"

I reached for my phone. 

"Hai?"

"I'm already home." Ryosuke said.

"Eh?."

"But mom wants to invite you over for dinner." 

"I hope you like Italian food." Ryosuke's haha placed an appetizer on the table. 

"I do!" I squealed, eyeing the rolls. 

Soon there was a knock at the door.

"Ah. They're here!" She jumped.

"Dare?" Ryosuke tilted in confusion.

"Hai hai, I'll be there," she said cheerfully.  Okasa skips out.

She hadn't answered Ryosuke nor me.

I peer at him, expecting him to say something. But he snags back with the same expression.

I didn't know anybody from Ryosuke's family, there wasn't a guess.

We both sat, unutterable, listening to the greeting at the door. 

Their footsteps then twinkle down the hall, approaching closer. \

"Come in and sit down, " Okasa showed a hand to... 

"Daiki and Airi?" Yamada stood, surprised. 

But he wasn't the only one. 

I sat still, unable to express. 

Though inside, they already imbue me. 

Dai looks at me, the smile of his dims.

"Mayu-chan?" He said. 

It was funny, the tone of his. It was a fusion of unpleasant and repellent.

I forcibly smile. "Afternoon, Sensei and Airi. I didn't expect to see you two here."

I try my best to show in interest, though I wants to dash out and probably run off, get lost in the streets. 

"Wha la, Mayu-chan! It's been such a long time, nee? I didn't get a chance to greet you properly that day. " Airi spoke. The corners of  curving, forming a summery smile. 

I nods. "Hai."

"The last time I saw you, you were just entering middle school, nee?" 

I remembers. It wasn't less than 2 years that after Dai moved, Airi soon follows. I heard that they were neighbors. 

I nod once again.

My fingers tangles. 

Talkative wasn't thriving out. I wasn't acting normal. I wonder if my acts were obvious. I couldn't settle myself to look at them directly.

"Eh? You guys know each other?" Ryosuke's Haha asked. 

"Hai. We all were neighbors in an apartment complex, our parents were close." Airi responded, she eyed the person next to her, "Arioka too."

My ears rings. Somewhat her cheesy voice irritates me.

I wonder if my young self agrees also. 

"I see. Shall we start dinner now?" 

Okasa suggested, her attentive in hurry.

They both each pulls out a chair, sitting next to each other.

Dai sat across me.

I glances down. I dug into my nails, anything to distract me from looking.

I secretly glances at Ryosuke, curious of his reaction. 

He was solid yet biting back. 

"Mayu-chan, Ryo. Eat up." Okasa informed. 

We both nod, shyly. 

Ryosuke turns to me. "Mayu, lets eat, nee?" 

I chuckles, nervously. "Hai." 

I reaches out for the serving spoon. I wasn't aware of what I was getting. My appetite had vanished.

I feel a bit nervous eating in front of Dai... Maybe Airi too, if so. 

Just right when I contact the spoon, his hands grasp mine. 

He was also reaching for the same spoon. 

I quickly pull back, "Gomene." I blurted.  

I feel a little bit hot at my cheeks. 

Dai didn't react. He nods, continuing to fill his plate. 

He was pacing himself in a quiet manner. But I knew he had more acts than this. But he never show it anymore. Rather since that day Airi arrived. Every day at school, he would acts untoward me, brushing a cold shoulder. I told myself it was fine, I was at fault. Though I know one day all these patience would sink, I'd probably explode.

Across the table, there was a pair of eyes steering at me.

Airi coughs, purposely.

"Excuse me," she said, "I forgotten, I had to take my medicine. Is it alright if I do in the next room?" 

"It's fine." Ryosuke's haha declared. 

Airi pushes out of her seat, she soon left the room. 

I wonder if she really had forgotten.

"She always forget. And I had forgotten to remind her also." Dai broke into giggles.

He stare at me. 

I furtive away. It's almost as if he seen through me. 

"Arioka." Ryosuke voiced. 

"Don't stare at Mayu like that..." He whispered across the table. 

If so, only the 3 of us heard. 

Dai threw a fierce look.  

Right then I knew things were getting serious. 

I grasp onto Ryosuke's hand. "Don't start any trouble at the table." I whispered. 

"I've forgotten the wine, they must've still be in the car. I'll go ge-" 

"We'll go get them!" I blurted. 

"Eh?" She looked, confused.

I stood, dragging Ryosuke. 

"Mayu?" He mumbled.

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I decided to end here, I will be back with Ch. 3 SOOOON!!!!!!! Srry if its short.

(^.^')