Chapter Ten: Hotaru + Ryo:

-Hotaru-

She made my heart flip every time we encountered each other. I had never seen the face of an angel before. Her dark blue eyes made my head spin. Her voice put my nerves at ease. I didn’t even know how to approach such a miko. It would take the whole summer to reach her.

-Hotaru’s Summer-

At first, I couldn’t approach her. I gulped when I saw her face. Maybe she’s straight. What if she was taken? The questions didn’t stop in my head. As a result, I couldn’t move forward. I soon grew tired of these battles and decided to learn the truth for myself.

One evening, I went out to the library. I just wanted to be alone that night. Vivian and Akira-kun were getting to me. Kazue and Mike didn’t help me either. I buried my head in my hands. Damn it! This is too much for me. I need to get away. But they need me… Argh!

“Miss, are you okay?” someone asked. I lifted my head and my face shaded over light pink. My miko blinked with a blank stare.

“Miss?” she asked. I nodded my head up and down like a little doll on strings.

“Yes!” I said in a high-pitched voice. She tilted her head.

“You look so red,” my miko said. I chuckled aloud. Oh crap! What am I doing? She probably thinks I’m an idiot! Oh! I just want to disappear right now! The miko put her hand on her forehead.

“You don’t have a fever,” she said. “Here.” She took hold of my hand. Before I had time to ask, she dragged me out of the room.

“Wait!” I yelped. “Slow down! Ow! Where are we going?” She didn’t answer me as we ran. We came out to the back alley. I turned to her, panting.

“What the hell?” I asked. She looked me right in the eye.

“I’ve been watching you,” she said. I blinked.

“Huh?” I asked. The moon outlined her almost abnormal beauty. My heart stirred in excitement in my chest. Please tell me this isn’t a dream. Oh, let me be awake right now! My miko smiled.

“I’ve been watching you,” she repeated. “Since yesterday.”

“Why?” I asked. She took a step forward.

“Why else?”

“Uh…” My, she’s really close…

She gave me a mischievous smile. “What is your name?”

“H-H-Hotaru!” My face was so red. Where are we going with this?

“Hotaru, huh?” the miko asked in Western-style clothes. Her fingertips brushed against my pale cheeks. “What a cute little firefly.”

“Uh…” I spoke up. “I don’t even know who you are.”

“Ryo.”

I tilted my head. “Ryo?”

“That’s right.”

“Yes, I am Ryo and I’ve heard good things about you?”

My eyes widened. “You have?”

“Yes,” Ryo said. “Great things about you. Great things.” She leaned forward and kissed me on the lips. I didn’t know how or have time to react. I could only take her into my arms. That kiss gave me all that I need to know. However, another had my heart.