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꒷︶꒷꒥꒷‧₊˚꒷︶꒷꒥꒷‧₊˚꒷︶꒷꒥꒷‧₊˚꒷︶꒷꒥꒷‧₊˚
I see you from afar, but it's silly; love comes to everyone, and I'm just a spectator. You would make me the protagonist between us.
˚꒷︶꒷︶꒷꒥꒷‧₊꒷꒥꒷‧₊˚꒷︶꒷꒥꒷‧₊˚꒷︶꒷꒥꒷‧₊˚
She looks at herself in the mirror, her hair neatly styled, her bright yellow sweatshirt cheerful, her shoes clean and polished to match, paired with cute wool leg warmers, and a new item in her everyday school outfit.
She can't help but stare at herself for a while, pacing in front of the full-length mirror, still hesitating about whether to wear it or not, but the hours she's spent hand-washing her entire uniform to make sure it looks good should be reason enough to wear it.
She looks more closely, feeling nervous.
She grabs her phone, checks previous WhatsApp conversations with Matsukaze, kind words of encouragement, but no real interaction. She could send him a photo asking for his opinion, but that only makes her goosebumps and her cheeks burn.
Ahhh, what is she doing?!
—Ginro, come downstairs! You're going to be late! Haven't you checked the time?
His brother's shout snaps him out of his hesitation. He glances at the clock on his dresser, checking the exact time to leave for the daily grind.
—Ah~shit... I'M COMING!
With no other option, he grabs his bag and headphones, turns off the light, and hurries down the hallway lined with family portraits from over the years.
Still being rushed by his brother, who won't tolerate even a minute's delay.
—Ginro, hurry up so you can at least eat something before you leave!
He calls from the kitchen, where the aroma of warm pancakes and freshly squeezed orange juice wafts through the air.
She takes the stairs, hopping down two steps at a time.
—Don't yell at me, Kinro! There's no need.
She sits at the counter, carelessly grabs her fork, and quickly wolfs down as much food as possible before going into school. Behind her, her little brother finishes washing the pans and plates where their parents had breakfast.
—I just don't understand why you have this bad habit of taking so long-
he stops her lecture, turning around and looking her up and down.
A smile spreads across her face, stopping what he was doing to approach her.
—Well, you're finally wearing it, Kirisame. You chose a good size.
he says happily that she's finally decided to wear it.
—You didn't have to take so long if that's what's bothering you. You look great.
Her cheeks, covered in pancakes, turn red.
—It wasn't because of that.
—Hey! Don't eat with your mouth full, it's rude.—his brother scolds him for his natural lack of table manners, though he doesn't want to argue before leaving for school.
He swallows one last time, sipping his juice to make it easier to swallow.
—That's not what it was.
She gets up, grabbing his bag and adjusting his shoes in front of the door.
—You talked to your boyfriend?
—MATSUKAZE IS NOT MY BOYFRIEND!
She shouts angrily, his heart racing at such a direct confession.
—I never said his name.
He twists his mouth, trapping him as if he'd committed a crime like the tournament.
—Forget it! I don't have time for this stupid stuff.
He grabs the doorknob, feeling the refreshing spring breeze, ignoring his gossipy brother.
He heads off towards school.
—HEY! IF HE GETS TOO STUPID, CALL ME AND HE'LL SEE WHO YOUR BROTHER IS, YOU HEAR ME?
He ends up yelling at him before disappearing into the city.
He puts on his headphones and runs through the streets towards the subway station.
The player was on shuffle, so he just enjoys one song after another that shouldn't be on the same playlist. He waits, fiddling with his phone, watching anything that distracts him; that's enough to keep him from overthinking.
And suddenly he doesn't hear the sound from one side.
—Wow, you're so messed up you can't even say hi.
—Ow!" Matsukaze, don't say that, I didn't see you.
The raven-haired boy looked as damn good as ever, and his presence was a good catalyst for not getting too stressed during the day. And a little bit of a crush since meeting him, something he would never confess because losing his friendship would be losing everything.
—And it's like you're practically inside your headphones.
The train arrives and he boards. There weren't many people managing to sit comfortably together, a rare thing in the day-to-day life of Tokyo.
—It's because my playlist is the best.
—Yeah, it's not for no reason, is it?
I shrink into the seat next to him.
Hugging my bag as if it were my biggest lifeline.
—Maybe... I'd like to go back home, I think it was a bad idea.
Matsukaze saw him; the sadness emanating from his emerald eyes was palpable, an ugly feeling of bitterness that needed some good medicine... or a push.
Because Matsukaze couldn't allow his trust to be betrayed and his smile suppressed behind that bag.
With nothing left to lose, the raven-haired young man moved closer to him, and with the hands of a petty thief, snatched the phone from his grasp, leaping to his feet. He unplugged the earbuds, revealing the next song.
—Matsukaze!
A hopeless romantic all my life
The first few lines are amazing, the young man was singing
—Matsukaze, what are you doing?! Give me back my phone!
Surrounded by couples all the time
He jumps up, chasing the dark-haired boy
I guess I should take it as a sign
Matsukaze is quicker and takes his hand, giving him a spin.
(Oh, why? Oh, why? Oh, why? Oh, why?) (Ah, why? Ah, why? Ah, why? Ah, why?)
—Matsukaze, what are you doing?
I'm feeling lonely (lonely)
The young man continues singing, now holding him by the waist.
Oh, I wish I'd find a lover that could hold me (hold me)
He tries to break free, and the other gives him a little tap in the air to the energetic rhythm of the song.
—Stop it, Matsukaze! What if someone sees us?
Now I'm crying in my room
The lyrics continue, and the other looks at him with a smile.
So skeptical of love (say what you say, but I want it more)
—There's no one around, besides, I'd do it even if there were people.—That leaves him bewildered, since the young man is known for being serious and a great student.
But still, I want more, more, more.
—And I won't stop until you sing with me— he's grabbed by the hand, spinning around in a frenzy created by the taller one.
I gave Cupid a second chance.
—Oh, and why was that?!
But now I'm left here feeling stupid.
The raven-haired boy continues singing and dancing to the beat, pulling him along through the train car.
Oh, the way he makes me feel that love isn't real.
Getting dangerously close to his face.
Cupid is so dumb.
—Because I won't let you hide in that bag... That would be so stupid.
I look for his arrows every day.
I guess he got lost or flew away.
—What bag are you talking about? Did you hit your head?— They didn't understand what Matsukaze was trying to achieve with this little show he was putting on; it wasn't the immature side of either of them.
Waiting is a waste.
—Don't hit me with anything... I just think it would be stupid to hide you from idiots who don't understand.
I've been counting the days since November.
Feel your heart pounding like crazy, wanting to run away before you get to the next station.
Is loving as good as they say?
They keep dancing together because the feeling of the other was impossible, and it's detailed to arrive for the silly moment.
Now I feel lonely.
Now I'm so lonely.
—So don't hold back, especially your smile, which is the prettiest. You'll surely make all the girls at school jealous when they see you.
Oh, I wish I'd find a lover that could hold me (hold me)
Shame surfaces, gaining momentum in his unsteady steps.
—You think so.
Now I'm crying in my room.
—I don't think so... I lose.
Now he feels not only shame and sadness but a confirmation that will put him on top.
So skeptical of love (say what you say, but I want more)
He sings again, reiterating the cheerful rhythm of the cloying song.
But still, I want more, more, more.
Matsukaze slowly lets go, finding his rhythm, starting to sing the lyrics.
«Ginro»
I gave Cupid a second chance
He takes energetic steps, his feet moving in unison, gaining confidence
But now I'm left here feeling stupid
He lets himself go and doesn't care much anymore if I arrive as a passenger.
Oh, the way he makes me feel that love isn't real
Because it's so much fun to sway my skirt to the rhythm of his steps.
Cupid is so dumb
He let himself be, and Matsukaze admired what he was.
A hopeless girl is seeking someone who will share this feeling
He smiles as if posing for a magazine, totally absorbed by the music.
I'm a fool, I'm a fool for love, I'm a fool for love
I'm a fool, a fool for love, a fool for love
And Matsukaze returns to him
«Matsukaze and Ginro»
I gave Cupid a second chance
But now I'm left here feeling stupid
They dance like there's no tomorrow or school, just enjoying themselves.
Oh, the way he makes me feel that love isn't real
Cupid is so dumb
Cupid is so dumb
Some watched curiously, others thinking it was a street dance by urban artists.
I gave Cupid a second chance.
But now I'm left here feeling stupid.
Others were recording, because the synchronization was perfect and contagious, even for those whose eyes sparkled.
Oh, the way he makes me feel that love isn't real.
—Hey, you two, what are you doing?!
It was a train guard; it could only mean one thing.
—Run!
The other, with his eyes wide, grabbed his arm, fleeing quickly from the guard who was about to scold them. He forgot that he wasn't supposed to make noise on the subway.
They both ran breathlessly out of the train station. Luckily, the school wasn't far away.
Laughter erupted like fireworks.
—You should have seen your face when you saw that guard. I bet your eyes would pop out.
—But it wasn't me who went too far with the dance.
The other insists on defending himself.
—And you should thank me. My steps fixed the whole mess you made.
He points, making the higher-ranking student blush.
—Yeah, right... But it was my idea after all.
They walked, turning the corner and nearing their destination.
—Are you ready?
He stops and takes a moment.
—No...
Matsukaze stops, looking at him.
He adjusts his stockings, his hair, and the rest of his uniform, taking the lead.
—Now let's go.
Matsukaze clutches his chest as if his heart were about to burst.
—Well, let's go.
They approach each other with impunity, both sides holding hands, though they are too trusting to talk about anything.
Before separating at the door, Matsukaze takes her arm.
—I didn't tell you at the time because you were feeling down and sad... You look beautiful, I think today is a wonderful day.
Her face flushes a beautiful shade of pink, as seen by the raven-haired boy, who didn't have enough time to say goodbye before they enter their first class.
As they walk to their own class, they notice two groups of their friends at the tables behind them, talking quite animatedly.
—She confidently enters the room, noticed by them, who greet her with friendly smiles.
—Hey Ginro! Oh, you look beautiful! I told you that color would suit you.
Amarilis compliments her, taking a sip of food from the desk beside her.
—Thanks for the order, don't think I spent like two hours trying to decide.
—Oh, really?
—Yeah, but someone helped me a lot.
She comments, noticing the particular sparkle in her eyes and the blonde's characteristic ear-to-ear grin.
—Is your boyfriend from third year?
She opens her eyes wide, shrinking back on the desk in a turtle position, covering her entire face in embarrassment. She hears Amarilis's cute laugh at her exaggerated reaction.
—¡Matsukaze isn't my boyfriend!
First the book, and then Amarilis... wasn't that obvious, was she?
But the last words spoken by the young man with ebony skin and wavy hair were like a fishing hook straight into his line, completely trapped and defenseless.
—Cupid is so dumb.
˚꒷︶꒷︶꒷꒥꒷‧₊꒷꒥꒷‧₊˚꒷︶꒷꒥꒷‧₊˚꒷︶꒷꒥꒷‧₊˚