Dainty Independence

Now that the first date was a success. I feel as if aspects in my life are going to be changing in a unique way. First being are my parents, ever since I told them about my love letter. They’ve been treating me… A little more like an adult, is the best way I can put it into words. Mom still hugs and calls me cute names, while Motoko is still very protective over us. It's just the little things that they’ve done have lessened. Mom doesn't ask for goodnight kisses, Motoko doesn't ask if I need help with school work as often. To me, these are just signs that they know that I’m becoming more independent.

However, they still don’t hesitate to remind me that I’m their kid. Motoko scolded me last night for a moment, because I was 2 minutes late from my date! Regardless, I still appreciate it. Having realized this change, I told them this morning that I want them to be part of my life as much as possible. I really felt like I had the perfect place when I’m with them. But, I think I chose a bad time, because this type of passion talk this early in the morning might have been a little too much for Mom. She got a little overjoyed with emotions which got me crying, causing the both of us to be late to our daily routines. Motoko had to drop both of us off, so that we weren’t late.

Now at school, fully calm from this morning and the weekend. I began my school day routine, I gleefully waved at my good friend Kiyoshi <3 As expected, not much reciprocation of similar friendliness, a firm expression while he rested his head on his propped up arm. As soon as I sat down I felt a quick vibration, my phone went off.

“It’s Kiyoshi!” I screamed in my head.

“Hey.”

A very simple message, a little repetitive too considering I had already waved to him. Nevertheless, I turned to his direction with joy as my pupils formed into stars. Then soon after I did, in my hands, my phone vibrated again.

“Don’t look at me like that!!!!” He quickly messaged.

I then pouted and turned forward, averting my gaze away from him. Shortly after, Kiyoshi sent another message.

“How was your date?”

Knowing that he can’t see my face I grew a big smile, however, I’m sure he would see that I was eagerly wiggling in my seat as I wrote my message.

“Pretty good for the most part, nothing that my mom didn’t already prepare for. All and all, everything went smoothly!” I added several heart emojis.

“Good.” He simply responded.

That was the end of that, he got the information he wanted. With my reactions, he must know that I’m being truthful as well. Which means he can continue class with ease,  and relaxing it was. The rest of the day went by rather quickly. Only think worth mentioning is that it is Yoshioka-Sensei announced that Midterms will be starting tomorrow and for the rest of the week. So not a whole lot of engaging activities for the remainder of the week.

◑ ◒ ◓ ◐

On my way to Kado Club, my phone rang. It was Minato this time!

“Moshi, moshi?!” I smiled.

“Moshi, moshi, Hiromi?” He quickly stated.

“Yeah, what’s up?” I reasoned.

“So, um, I don’t think I can meet you today. We have our first game this week, so Coach is going to make us work our butts off for the whole week.” He explained.

“Oh okay, that’s no problem. Hope he doesn't work you too hard!” I remarked.

“Ah, thanks! I’ll let you know if I’ll have some free time.” I believe he smiled.

“Okay, sounds good!” I smiled, we then exchanged goodnights and hung up.

Well that’s a little unfortunate.

For lunch today, I was with Minato. A little awkward, but not intense it has been, this must mean we’re getting quite comfortable around one another. We initially agreed to meet after our club stuff to talk about… Uhm, Us, I guess. Knowing that I won’t be meeting Minato, I just looked at it for more time to think about what I want to say to him.

Club ended early today because two members had something important to attend to later this evening. What exactly? I have no idea. There's kinda this unspoken rule, one that I can’t help but to break. It is to not discuss our personal lives. Nonetheless, I had a little bit of free time. So I figure this’ll be the best time to see Kiyoshi. As I told him in my letter.

Knock-Knock-Knock

“Oh, your back…” Kiyoshi glared as soon as the door opened, while just provide a loud smile.

“You're here again? Don’t you have a club?” Kiyoshi examined me quickly as I smiled innocently.

“Well yeah, it’s not like an all day thing… You read my letter, didn’t you?” I mentioned.

“Of course, I wasn’t expecting you to come this week.” He remarked.

“What is that supposed to mean?!!” I chirped with annoyance.

“No, matter. I’d like to go to your house this time.” He waved his hands, then reached for his shoes.

“Ah, really! Okay!” I got nervous and excited that Kiyoshi felt the need to see my home!

I tried not to appear too excited, but in moments we were off. Arriving at my home in a matter of minutes. As I opened the door to my home, Kiyoshi looked around, with the gaze of someone looking for a route of escape.

“Tadaima! Mom?” I shouted as we walked in, taking our shoes off.

“Ah! Konchiwa, and who is this?” Mom smiled as she walked from around the corner.

“This is Kiyoshi, a good friend from school.” I gleefully explained.

“Konchiwa.” Kiyoshi bowed respectfully.

“Nice to meet you, any good friend of my Hiromi, is a good friend of mine.” Mom happily announced.

“Alright, we’ll be in my room for a little bit.” I mentioned as we began to walk to my room.

“Hold for a moment.”

Without a single sound to be heard. Motoko was at the door to greet my guest, seemingly appearing out of nowhere. Motoko then slowly walked up to Kiyoshi to look at him for several seconds. Similar to when she first met Minato.

“Welcome to our home, Tadokoro Kiyoshi.” Motoko smiled ever so slightly.

“Alright, uh, I’ll come down for dinner in a little bit.” I announced, slowly move to my room.

Once in my room, Kiyoshi slowly sat on my desk chair while I sat on my bed. Kiyoshi quickly went into his thinking mode, for whatever reason.

“So, uh, this is my room.” I announced to get Kiyoshi talking.

“Huh? Oh, um, yeah, um, very… Pastel.” He reasoned with a slight stutter.

“Say, that was Motoko, correct? What is her place of work?” He quickly followed with the question.

“Heh, Minato asked the same question when he met my Motoko. She works for Public Safety, she got a promotion a few months ago to be a Director.” I happily explained.

“Hmm, interesting.” He mentioned and placed his hand over his mouth to ponder.

“Uhh, is that it?” I asked impatiently.

“Well… As I stood in front of her… For only a single exchange of blinks. It felt as if I was gazing into the pure nothingness of eternity.” He clasped his hands as he methodically explained.

“What are you talking about? She’s just my mom... You sound like a character from an overrated manga.” I remarked in confusion.

“Oh, whatever! It just baffles me that someone like her helped create such a creature whose DNA is molded from an overflow of feminine stereotypes!” He trumpets as his finger strictly points to my face.

“Wah! Well, I can't help that I was born dainty!” I remarked with slight annoyance.

“Nevertheless, I-I was expecting to see more Gundam models.” Kiyoshi looked away to rework the topic.

“Oh, well, they’re still in my storage boxes, hehe.” I remarked with a chuckle.

“Hmm, have you and your family ever lived anywhere else, besides Mountain Country?” He questioned.

“I'm pretty sure... We lived in Tokyo for a few years but I really young so hardly remember any of it.” I slowly responded.

We were both quiet for a few moments.

“Allow me to ask you something that I’ve been wondering about for sometime.” He then asked.

“Uh, sure, what is it?” I hesitantly replied.

“How about you rationalize to me why you wear conventionally consider to be girl’s clothing? What started this?” Kiyoshi quickly proposed the question.

“Well… To put it simply, I just really don’t like wearing pants. Skirts and dresses always felt so comfortable for me.” I explained, with a unsure grin.

“Including no undergarments?” He raised brow in slight confusion.

“Only if I’m at school, heh.” I giggled.

“Then what continued this trend?” he then asked.

“Um, I think my Mom just started to get me more girl's clothing, and I never really thought anything of it, so I just started to like it.” I explained.

“And the makeup?” He followed with.

“That one is easy. My Mom is a professional makeup artist, so I wanted to be like her, then one day I think I ask if she can put makeup on me. I suppose it didn’t stop there, so I just began to wear makeup on a regular basis.” I quickly explained.

“Nothing too interesting, valuable, nonetheless.” He remarked.

Shrugging off his analytical rhetoric. I had a question of my own.

“What about you?” I asked.

“Hm? Hard to say really… I don’t like saying that I just knew. However, I simply always gravitate to clothes meant for men. My parents never protested the idea and just let me be myself.” Kiyoshi explained with confidence.

“That’s nice.” I lightly mentioned.

“Well, I think I’ll take my leave.” He stood up.

“Wa-Wait!” I quickly grabbed his shirt sleeve.

“I, uh, wanted to ask you something.” I then pressed my fingers together, eagerly forming my question.

“So, umm, I was thinking. Since this will be my first midterms of the year. I thought it would be nice to do something fun, to celebrate.” I slowly described.

“Hooh, you talk as if you already know you’ll pass the tests.” He remarked playfully.

“Well, yeah, the practice tests weren't very hard, so if they’re anything like that actual test. I won't have much of a problem.” I reasoned.

“Ha! I must be rubbing off on you, that sounds like something that I’d say and rationalize.” Kiyoshi announced with pride.

“AH, whatever! Anyway…! I would like to go watch Minato’s game, but that’s out of Chiba, so I’m not really up for something like that yet. So I was thinking that you and… I could do something this weekend.” I hollered.

“Excuse me…? Um… Why?” He looked the other way to hide his face slowly turning red.

“I just feel really comfortable around you, I guess.” I mentioned.

“And you don’t around others?” He quickly asked.

“Well, not necessarily, it just seems like you're the only one with free time, heh.” I giggled.

“Tch, whatever! Fi-Fine, but I have to decide where to go!” He clicked with spite as he declared his conditions.

“Hiromi! Kiyoshi! Time for dinner.” Mom announced form the kitchen.

“I suppose that’s my cue to make my leave.” He declared and began to exit my room.

“Wait! Stay and have dinner with us. Mom said your name, so that means she made extra for you! She’s a really good cook!” I overly explained, in the hopes Kiyoshi will stay a bit longer.

“Hmmm… Al-alright!” He huffed, still struggling to accept my requests.

With a loving fragrance of homemade food and knowing that I’ll enjoy it with people who care about me is one perfect way to start the week!