Chapter 5 – Kisaragi Yama

Haneda Airport that morning looked crowded. Some people are seen walking with fast steps as if they are pressed for time, while others appear relaxed. Today was not the holiday season, so it was certain that those who seemed to be in a hurry were mostly someone on an important business trip.

In one of the waiting rooms of the airport terminal, there is a handsome boy sitting alone sipping his hot coffee. The charcoal black haired man who was wearing only a plain white T-shirt with a gray jacket combined with black jeans and white sports shoes. That man seemed to be a simple, hassle-free person. He only carried one medium-sized black suitcase beside him.

From the color of the clothes and the suitcase, the man seemed to dislike the appearance or the color that was too bright. He seemed to be trying not to attract the attention of those around him. However, it seems that neutral colors are not very helpful. He doesn't know how many girls have glanced at him secretly or even opened his eyes openly to enjoy his handsome face.

“Damn! I hate this situation.” Yama cursed. He looked annoyed by the act of a girl who sat across from him. That girl did look busy playing with her cellphone, but Yama who pretended not to know was actually aware of the girl's illegal behavior. Yes, that annoying girl was taking his pictures secretly.

“Mika! Hikaru! Come quickly, you kid!” Yama cursed silently again.

"YAMA!" When Yama's patience has reached its peak and intends to get up to reprimand that girl, suddenly a familiar female voice can be heard from a distance. Yama turned towards the source of that sound and then let out a sigh of relief.

"Ah ... my sweetheart!" Yama welcomed Mika, who jogged towards him while taking away his maroon-colored suitcase. Mika, who was wearing a happy smile, suddenly frowned. Of course, she was confused by the call Yama gave to her. Mika even struggled to release Yama's tight embrace. Not only that, Mika also almost kicked Yama's vitals, so annoyed by his action.

"Sorry, but do me a favor." Yama whispered in his arms. "The girl took my picture secretly. I almost cried about that." Yama explained, hoping Mika would understand and not be angry with what he had just done.

"What? Who? Oh, let me finish." Mika who already understood the situation then patted Yama's back gently as a signal to release his embrace.

It has always been like this. Yama, who is handsome and athletic, always has many fans who never take their eyes off him. Even though Yama has a pleasant aura, he is actually an introvert who doesn't like to receive a lot of attention. That's why, Yama always felt safe around Mika and Hikaru who exuded an aura stronger than him.

"Sorry, miss, I saw you holding the cell phone in a strange way. You took pictures of my boyfriend secretly, huh?" Mika pretended to be angry and put on a serious face. “If my guess is right, can you erase it then show me that you really did erase it. You know, taking someone pictures secretly was illegal. I can report you."

Hearing what Mika said, that girl looked panicked and scared. Mika does have the ability to intimidate others with just her eyes and arrogant attitude. Obediently, the girl immediately deleted all of Yama's photos from her cellphone. After showing her cellphone screen as proof that she had completely erased all of Yama's photos, she immediately bowed apologetically, then immediately left them.

She must be very embarrassed and scared. Yama smiled.

"Why don't you tell her by yourself? " Mika looked annoyed by Yama's behavior.

"I've been going to do it. But then you came. Yeah, I thought you might as well do it." Yama showing off his rows teeth. "You are the queen of intimidate others. The tiger may even submit to you." Yama intended to praise her, but it seemed like it meant something different to Mika.

"Eh? What kind of statement is that? What a cowardly little cat." Mika kicked Yama's shin in annoyance, making Yama grimace while tiptoeing over in pain.

The argument between the two stopped when Yama's cellphone suddenly rang. Yama, who was still suffering from pain in his leg quickly reached into his pants pocket to retrieve the item that was now playing a song from his favorite band One Ok Rock. At first glance, Yama took the time to read the name that appeared on the screen. Right, that's hir other best friend, Hikaru.

"Have you arrived?" There was a voice breathing heavily and panting on the phone.

“Yeah, Mika just arrived. Where are you?" Yama answered Hikaru's question then turned to Mika who was curious about the phone call. "This is Hikaru." Yama explained to Mika in a hushed voice. Mika responded with a nod.

“I seem to have the wrong terminal. Wait, I will arrive as soon as I can." From the sound of the suitcase being pulled roughly and his ragged breathing, it seemed like Hikaru was currently running.

“It's okay, just relax. Our flight is still half an hour away." Yama confirmed while glancing at his watch.

"Eh? Is it true? I thought it was too late." Now Hikaru sounded calmer than before. "Stupid! Why didn't you tell me earlier? If you did, I don't have to rush like this.”

"Huh? Aren't you the stupid one? Why did it get to the wrong terminal? You little Hikaru! ” Yama who was annoyed then hung up the phone while cursing.

***

Kisaragi Yama was the first person Hikaru greeted at Minami High School's admissions ceremony. At that time, Yama stood out the most among the other new students. Hikaru admired Yama's athletic body, the perfect body that Hikaru wanted so badly. At a glance, Hikaru could tell that Yama must be a student who is active in the sports club at his hometown school.

Maybe he's in the soccer or baseball club. Hikaru tried to guess.

Even though it looks prominent, Yama's movements seem to show that he is uncomfortable and restless in the crowd. He looked uncomfortable with the gazes of the girls who admired his athletic body and good-looking face which had indeed stolen the show. Hikaru who realized Yama's condition then took the initiative to approach him.

Unlike Yama who has a natural beauty of Japanese teenagers, Hikaru who also has a handsome face with mixed blood of foreigners, has his own charm. With his mother's natural brown hair and eyebrows, Hikaru's face also attracted the attention of Minami high school students of all levels. Unlike Yama who seemed uncomfortable with all the attention, Hikaru seemed to be enjoying it.

“Hey, I'm Nishigawa Hikaru. Wow, you must really like physical activities, huh?" Hikaru tried to open the conversation.

"Eh? Hello, I'm Kisaragi Yama. Nice to meet you." Yama spoke formally, making Hikaru want to laugh with his stiff attitude.

"Relax, we are the same age, you know." Hikaru tried to hold back his laughter. “Anyway, why did you look so uncomfortable? Are you nervous on the first day of being a high school student?"

Yama glared at Hikaru when he heard that sentence. Yama was surprised at the same time wondering why the boy who was now standing beside him could tell what he was feeling? If Hikaru was a girl, maybe Yama would have fallen in love with his attention and understanding.

"Ah, I just don't like it." Yama answered in a barely audible voice.

"Don't like ... me?" Hikaru widened his eyes and secretly felt uneasy.

"No, that's not it. I just prefer not to be the center of attention." Yama tried to explain, try to clear the misunderstanding in Hikaru's mind.

"What? You don't like being noticed by anyone?" Hikaru looked surprised. "But you stand out the most, you know. Ah, I wouldn't call you handsome. It feels weird, right? It feels weird when other boys call you handsome. But, yeah … your face really caught their attention." Hikaru made a gesture with his eyes, directing his gaze to the crowd of girls who were stealing glances at Yama.

“I know it. But … I don't know, I really don't like it. ” Yama looked down, obviously feeling uncomfortable.

"You're in big trouble, huh?" Hikaru chuckled.

“Wait, you too, right? Just look at them." Yama turned his gaze to the crowd of other students who then screamed hysterically when they realized Hikaru was staring at them.

"Yeah, I know. But, I don't think of it as a problem like you. I really don't mind as long as they don't dare to touch me." Hikaru answered casually while shrugging his shoulders. Yama was really amazed by Hikaru's attitude like that.

From that day on, that two boys with handsome faces became really close. The two of them have a relationship like the buffalo and the starling. Win-win solution. Hikaru helps Yama to become proficient in English. Meanwhile, Yama helped Hikaru to appear as fit as Hikaru wanted. Hikaru's aura also distracted Yama's attention a little and Yama was greatly helped by it.

As Hikaru predicted, Yama was quite skilled at baseball. It was really weird. Yama felt uncomfortable being the center of attention, but when competing on the playing field, he didn't seem to care at all about the spectators' gazes. Yama looks calm and focused, even though there are so many eyes that judge his performance.

Of course, the relationship between these two handsome boy often makes other, less popular students envy. Hikaru and Yama are like two angelic figures who come from another world and have their own world when they are together. The other people around them would feel dazzled and even as if they were intimidated if they couldn’t match the aura of that two.

The only person capable of matching the powerful aura of these two handsome boys was just that girl. The girl who makes all Minami high school students jealous of her. That girl is Takashi Mika.

***

[to be continued]