Exploring Attributes

Chapter-12

Raindrops

Normal POV

The week passed away, but the atmosphere remained awkward for the entire week. Everyone was busy with their own work; the weather was always sunny as usual. Every day was a new beginning for everyone, with new missions which was to be accomplished, new projects to be submitted and presentations which was to be presented. Everyone worked individually.

Misaki was always so engrossed in her studies that she nearly forgot about all the incidents that took place the previous couple of days, even Igarashi stopped annoying her and started finishing his own pending projects. Even though he was the president of the council, he tried to do all the work neatly and stopped calling Misaki for help.

Despite being in the same class, Misaki barely encountered Takumi, not even once in the cafeteria. Was she being ignored purposely? Or is she really busy that they never really bumped into each other?

Sakura's cheerful attitude has always maintained the warmth amongst the friends, however there was no specific change in Takumi's behavior even after that confession. It was as if, that conversation never took place.

Igarashi's POV

"When you integrate something like this one, you always have to use the UV method, if you don't …." The teacher continued with his lecture, but I wasn't really listening.

Well, its not because I know about it already, but it is because I'm too busy thinking about Takumi.

Something is definitely not right about him. Sigh.

I rested my chin on the palm of my hand and turned my gaze to look at the front left seat.

I watched her solve the math problem with so much concentration. I smirked at myself. Silly girl, ever since the semester exam dates are declared, she seems to become more engrossed with her studies.

I dazed into my memories.

FLASHBACK

"Ah, Sakura, how come you're taking two of everything today?" i had asked Sakura at the cafeteria yesterday.

"Oh, yeah, you see Misaki is really busy solving the physics worksheet that I thought about getting her some food myself, since she won't come up no matter what I say." She smiled widely and left.

With an astonishing expression I went to the table, well our table, and the one in which all of us sit together. And as usual Takumi wasn't there. But I was more surprised to see Misaki. With a good luck charm tied to her forehead, she solved the worksheet like a monster.

I chuckled out a bit too loud while reminiscing that moment.

"Yes, Mr. Igarashi, what is so funny about Ms. Misaki that you haven't told us about?" I was startled when the teacher abruptly called me up.

Normal POV

Misaki's concentration instantly drifted from her math problem and shudders ran down her spine, she immediately turned around to look at that person.

Yes, with widened eyes she only saw a blank expression on Igarashi's face, which in fact scared her since she has never really thought about Igarashi frequently after the council incident. She creased her forehead the next moment after realizing that she was being observed by him, and she doesn't even know for how long?

"Sigh," he composed himself, "Well, it is funny, that at a school like Miyabigaoka, she really studies a lot in comparison with the rest, since she is the only one fighting for the scholarship." He sarcastically ended his statement and then started scribbling the math equation on his copy.

"Well, I hope you won't disturb the class again, and learn something positive from what you have observed." The teacher picked up the duster to erase the board for the next part of the math.

There was a slight hint of laughter in the entire classroom and the statement merely irritated Igarashi very badly that he broke the tip of his pencil. "Annoyance." He thought.

"Misaki, please turn around." The teacher requested Misaki.

That is exactly when she realized that she was so frozen at the realization of being watched.

"Ahh, yes." She mumbled the words and turned to focus in her math problem.

Misaki's POV

The corridor rather seemed more crowded than usual as I walked. I did bring everything with me, didn't I? Let me check.

Hmm, math, worksheets and physics theory sheet. All is here.

"Did you see Takumi glare at Igarashi the moment he was smiling while watching Misaki?" a girl stated with much concern, and Misaki just happened to stop at that very instant, strengthening her grip on the copies in her hand.

"Yeah, I saw him too; it was as if he didn't like Igarashi checking her out." The girls chuckled.

My heart literally skipped a beat.

FLASHBACK

I stared at him with a creased temple, but now he seemed to have gained confidence. He smiled at me and this time, he finally removed the strand of hair from my face and then tucks it behind my ears; he then slowly caressed my chick and literally burned me down till his fingers reached my chin. He then fished his other hand in his pocket and leaned in to face me by the eye.

'However, you can still thank me by being mine for a day, which deal is always open for you, only.'

FLASHBACK

"Honestly, I'm sorry. For being this way towards you, no matter how much I try, I just cannot resist you. I'll make sure I don't scare you of like this ever. "

Takumi's expression softened, as if he was in pain as he stated the confession. He yearned for her presence, yet denying it to himself.

Misaki on the other hand froze at his words. Takumi left the locker room in silence.

Normal POV

She gulped remembering the memories.

"I just hope that the two hotties don't fall for that flat screen, it would be such a waste!" the girls chuckled louder and enjoyed.

The atmosphere drastically changed to what it seemed to be a fire burning down ready to erupt as lava from the volcano. She gritted her teeth and forcefully strode forward as fast as possible.

A hand approached her and rested on her left shoulder. The feeling for her was intense, yet the hand seemed like the fire extinguisher which cooled down her entire body intensity.

Misaki's POV

With a startling response, I turned to look at the person behind me.

Takumi, he came to me, I can't even remember the last time…

I almost lost my grip on my copies and papers, but his fast reflex motion saved them from falling, but also made contact with my hand at that instant in order to tighten the grip.

I was confused, my fingers seemed to have burned out by his smooth contact, and his scent was intoxicating my brain cells. What was this feeling? My heart rate has increased and I just can't stop looking at him. I was probably heaving so heavily that I felt dizzy.

"Are you okay?" his velvet voice snapped me out my delusions.

At that instant I stepped back and detached myself from his intense contact which seemed to last for decades, I started making fist and rubbing the contacted region with my other hand.

"Ah, yeah.. yes I'm ok." I mumbled my words out, still very freaked out to what just happened.

He withdrew his hand and tilted his head down to stare at me in the eyes with more depth. My throat parched for water. I almost bit the corners of my lips.

"You don't look ok to me." His concern just made my heart throb faster than ever.

"Hmm? No, no I'm fine." I forced out a slight convincing smile.

The loud noise of the shuddering thunder shook me from musing thoughts. It startled Takumi too, well to some extent.

Both of us glanced outside through the windows in the corridor, the clouds have already obscured the clear sky with darkness and the only visible lights were produced every now and then with the sound of the crashing thunder. It was going to rain very heavily; suddenly the corridor seemed to be deserted with much silence. The whizzing sound of the fast wind escaped through the slime openings of the windows.

Everyone already left for home, the only ones left at the campus was probably the ones with extra work. We stood there for quite a while gazing at the fierce sky.

"Ah, oh my, I should get going. If it starts raining, it will be difficult for me to return home." I intentionally broke the silence and wanted to leave immediately, probably fearing that I might entangle myself in another awkward situation with him. Yes, I was trying to avoid him, if only I could do it with for efficiency.

Takumi simply turned to look at me with much surprise. Yet, his face, it had the slightest expression on them.

"You don't have any extra class?" he fished his hands into his pockets and fully turned around to face me after viewing the dark sky.

"ah, no apparently I don't have any. See ya, I'm getting late. Bye" the words rushed out of my mouth and without delaying further I gushed out through the corridors towards the exit.

Phew, that went smooth. If I had delayed any further he would have probably messed up with me even more. But, why am I running away from him? Yeah I mean I owe him a lot. He helped me and also supported me when my mom was sick, but then again those words, that confession.. Sigh. I don't get it. What did he mean back then at the locker room? What does he mean by that?

With all these absurd thoughts flowing through my mind, I quickly packed my stuff inside my school bag and ran outside the academy.

I'm getting very late. Mom must be worried sick by now. Takumi is such a disturbance in my mind. Ugh I just can't stand him and he says he can't resist me, such an idiot. What does he think he wants from me? Oh god, help me. I'm again thinking about that rude, cold, alien from another planet. Why do I always end up thinking about him?

I quickly snapped out of my random silly thoughts. Damn, the rain is so heavy. I searched for my umbrella in my bag, sigh, but it wasn't there. I hoped for it to be inside my locker, so I rushed into the locker room and searched for it, but it wasn't there. Great, how am I supposed to go home now?

"They must me having a very serious conversation." the sound of the girl caught my attention.

"Yeah, I saw that stern expression on Takumi's face too."

That name made my heart rattle faster than ever. The more i run away from him, his thoughts just keep on barging in my brain. I can't wait any longer. What if he comes to the locker room like that day? No, no that can't happen. I must leave immediately.

With all my belongings in my bag, I shoved it on my back and rushed out of the locker room, outside. Sigh. Darn, it is raining. I can't wait, i shouldn't wait. I must leave.

I took out the clip board from my bag and used it as a shade before striding out through the rain. It was cold and the rain was heavy, the roads were completely deserted, i encountered pedestrians only once in a while and the vehicles were nowhere to be seen.

I have been walking for so long, and yet i can't find any transport, this was really frustrating. I walked down the lane and found the isolated bus stand.

If i wait for a few minutes i don't think that would harm me much, after all my legs are already tired and it's so cold, i quietly sat on the bench.

I closed my eyes and breathed.

I could feel my wrinkled fingers as i rubbed my hand, my body was shivering in cold, my lips were wet and sore, the sound of the rain drops continued playing its own tune, silence was everywhere. It was as if the voice of the world has drowned in the rain. My throat parched. I gazed the flow of rain, and stood up and walked a few steps away from the bench, a few inches outside the shade. I let my lips part, allowing the rain drops to make its way inside my mouth. It was sweet, the rain water.

I held my head high and felt the rain trickling down my cheek.

FLASHBACK

"Dad, why is the rain water sweet?" i reminisced as the little girl tasted the water droplets in her hand. She was happy, happy to be in her father's lap.

"Hmm, well that is because whenever there is sorrow in our lives, god makes rain fall on the earth to wash away our sorrows and fill them with happiness and sweetness." he pecked on the cheek of his daughter.

Three of them were very happy, he was happy that his wife will be blessed with another child growing in her womb.

"Really?" the little girl giggled.

"Yes," the happy family happily smiled as they walked together under the shade of the umbrella on that rainy night.

The cold breeze brushed past my face and i smiled. I gazed at the open sky. It's time to go home, sigh. I was chilled by the cold rain.

I winked at myself. Such silly thought.

Normal POV

The shade of the umbrella hovered above her blocking the raindrops from drenching her further.

Her heart immediately sang in sorrow and surprise.

"Dad," she thought out loud.

He took a step closer and ducked inside the shelter of the umbrella next to her.

"Did you say something?" that velvet voice startled her and at the same time drowned her in emotional attachment towards the man providing shelter to her in the moment when she felt all alone, lurking aimlessly in her life.

She turned her head and tears trickled down her wet cheeks, her eyes were red.

The man focused into her sorrowful eyes and gritted his teeth.

His hands yearning to approach her cheeks and wipe off what seemed like tears to him; he gripped the umbrella more firmly and allowed his fisted hand to seek her cheek.

She was still frozen, all she could do was heave heavily and her watery eyes continued to shower, she couldn't think. She was numb, trying to find some shelter in the depths of his eyes.

Takumi's long fingers removed the dripping strand of hair out of the view of her eyes; he then slowly wiped a drop of tear from her cheek. Her pounding heart beat drowned in the tune of the heavy rainfall.

He fingers traced down her cheeks as he moved closer to her under the umbrella in the middle of the isolated roadside. Misaki was too numb to realize her feelings; all she could do was close her eyes as she felt her cheek being touched by the cold fingers of the young man who stood before her. Her mind was too cloudy to process anything. Her heart was beating faster than ever. Her lips throbbed.

Takumi scanned her face as if memorizing her features; he knew what he was doing. He could feel her; he knew he would not be able to stop himself any more.

He was still going to give in to her. He traced down to Misaki's lips and cupped her face. He couldn't stop himself. He knew she was expecting him more now. He knew that now she wouldn't revolt back if he stepped forward. He caressed her lips with his thumb finger and calmed her throbbing lips.

He couldn't resist her further. She responded to his touch, parting her lips she invited him in unconsciously.

Takumi gradually closed the distance between them and without further ado leaned in towards the women before him, without much thought he softly took her lower lips in between his own and licked it.

Shudders ran down Misaki's body, she could feel those tender lips on hers; her body was in contact with him. She could feel him get wet due to her already drenched clothes, but she didn't care much about that. She wanted to react, kiss him back, but she was numb.

Takumi slowly parted his lips away, but before he could Misaki grabbed his arms, Misaki's heart clenched and she grasped his blazer frantically. Takumi breathed out for a moment and chuckled. But he didn't stop. He smooched his lips further in her lips.

It was cold, but they were warm.