The Kiss (2)

I don't know who spread it, but the news of Kiriko and me already reach my classmate's ears the next morning. And they seem to have material to tease me again.

"Bwahahahahaha!"

"I already hear the gossip, Kyota!"

"Yup, I heard Kashiwagi Kiriko confess on you"

"Congrats Kyota, finally you have a girlfriend for yourself"

"Shut up…. I don't even know why she has a feeling for me"

"Hah? Isn't that great? You don't have to look for a girlfriend, there's a girl coming for you"

"That's right! Have a girlfriend is fun, moreover she the girl like that"

They tease by showing their thumb between the middle finger and pointer finger, (A sign of having sex) the pervert looks on their face make me more irritated.

"Quiet! I don't even give her the answer"

"Huh, are you not dating her?"

"I said I haven't given her the answer"

"How do you think about her anyway?"

"I don't know, we just meet and talk for the first time yesterday. but somehow she looks like an ordinary girl"

I am not acquainted with her before. The gossip about she is a bitchy, slutty, boy chaser or whatever gossip about her, but when she said to me yesterday that she already like me since the first time she saw me and want to know me better….this makes me confused. What's good about me that make her like me? I'm sorry Kiriko, but it seems I can't give a good answer for you.

During the lunch break, when I just take my lunch from school canteen, I heard a ruckus on another side of the canteen, there are students who crowding and watching the ruckus.

"Damn bitch, looking at you make me sick"

"Just get out from this school!"

"Idiot!"

That's words I heard from the ruckus site. Since I don't know what happen and what caused that ruckus, I ask a nearby student.

"Hey, what happens?"

"Just usual ruckus with Kashiwagi Kiriko, it seems she prey another boy"

"Huh?"

"It's already well known that Kashiwagi Kiriko is such easy girl, don't be surprised"

Because there are too many students watching the ruckus, I can't get clear sight about what happens there, and I have to finish my lunch before the lunch break is over. When I walk back to my class, from the window in the school corridor, I saw Kashiwagi Kiriko wash her face in nearby water outlet. Although I'm on the second floor, I can see her eyes were red. Did she cry?

When I return to my home, this Kiriko's crying image still lingering in my mind. I never expected a girl like her can cry. If she really did as the gossip and rumors said, she should be prepared to accept any risk that comes with it. But, did she really did like what she rumored and gossiped?

Bitchy, slutty, easy girl…and many bad gossips about her…but it's just gossip. No one ever sees she really did like what she gossiped, and no one in school ever become her victim.

It's just gossip, not facts.

'I like you, want to know you better" her words are ringing back in my ears

What should I do?

Next day when I take the train to school, I see Kiriko in another compartment. She looks tranquil, not like what rumored. If she really easy girl, she should spread her charm to attract boys, right?

Damn, my mind starts filled with Kashiwagi Kiriko's image again. But, my impression on her, she is an honest girl, but why such hones girl has so many bad rumors. And why she wants to close with me? It's so scary, what if I also affected and get some gossip and rumors because I'm close to her? I should tell her what I have in mind.

After the school over, I ask Kiriko's time to speak with her in the school backyard

"I already decided, let's us just befriend. Is that alright?"

"It's alright, I'm glad. Anything can be started from friendship"

"Sorry, but that's my answer"

"It's okay, I'm happy you give me the answer"

"Actually I made this decision because I don't know what kind you girl are you"

"Ah?"

Kiriko looks pale after hearing my last sentences.

"What…do you say? Do you mean about those gossips and rumors?.....cruel"

Kiriko lower her head…from her eyes tears start flowing down to her cheek

"I thought Kyota can understand me…really see the real me…but instead, you give me a dumb answer. Would be better if you say you hate instead…bye"

After that Kiriko left me dumbfounded alone. Why this turn like this?

Next day when I going to school, I don't see Kiriko among the passengers in the train like usual. I still don't know that girl actually.

In the class, when I sit on my chair waiting for the class to start, one of my classmates approaching me and said someone looking for me. When I go to see who's looking for me, there's a girl standing in front of my class door

"You? I think I know you, but…"

"I'm Sawada Tomoko, you idiot! Why you hurt Kiriko?"

"Hah? What are you talking about? I'm not hurt Kiriko…"

"She decides to change school. Right now she about to handed the resignation letter to the principal"

"What!"

"You are the only reason Kiriko still stay in this school. But look what you have done to her! You break her only hope!"

While running along the corridor the principal office, in my ears, Tomoko's words ringing again…

'she's just a victim of bad gossip! All that bad rumors are not true!'

In her class, there's a selfish and egoist girl, because the boy that girl like is like Kiriko instead, she becomes ruthless. Kiriko was bullied by that girl's gang, humiliated, showered with many bad gossips and rumors, her classmates start to make the distance from her…alone in this school…until she met you.

About one month ago, a boy uses his body to make a way for Kiriko to left the crowded train. That boy uses his body to hold other people push so Kiriko can leave the train safely. Kiriko always remembers that boy kindness and sincerity and never forget him.

"Just because that small matter....I'm so stupid"

I murmuring to myself while running.

A girl that showered with many bad gossip and rumors…her face blushing when I ask about the kiss…I should already know… I just don't believe with my own feeling.

"Kiriko!!"

I finally found her near the principal office. Without thinking twice I just embrace her in my arms and whisper in her ears

"I'm sorry. From now on I will protect you from those bad words. I will protect you from anything that harms you. Don't be afraid"

"Kyota…."

If I try to remember, that's when it all started. Her courage to offers her love and my courage to accept it.

There are many couples everywhere. But, when they meet each other when their love starting…. Now I can understand. This three days already sticking our heart and mind together.

Now I understand how my love story started.

~THE END~