Capítulo 12: Into the starry Night
"Hiraku, it's me, Shin." A teenage boy with the appearance of a nerd slowly walked toward where Hiraku was sitting and looked at Lisa politely.
"May I sit?"
"Sure," Lisa responded kindly.
"Shin I'm glad you're here" Hiraku said with a warm smile. Shin nodded in approval to hiraku's words. His hands quickly pated his glasses
"You again!," Mira said disdainfully, eyeing the nerdy boy who had appeared at the wrong time. She quickly glanced over his appearance—he wore browline glasses, the front part of his hair was slightly messy on his forehead, and he had a skittish expression. "What's up with his haircut?" Mira muttered under her breath in a rude tone.
"I remember," Hiraku said with a smile. "So, Class Rep, what favor do you want to ask from a nerd?"
Some students overheard their conversation. The once-bubbly atmosphere in the hall slowly quieted, with a quarter of the people whispering among themselves. Mira knew Hiraku was trying to scare her away, but she wasn't ready to back down.
"I need your help babysitting," Mira blurted out crudely. She felt irritated by the thought of being needy. It was a spectacle of a lifetime for her enemies, who would no doubt revel in gossiping about her around the school. When a few students heard her request, they couldn't help but laugh.
"But I don't know anything about babysitting," Hiraku lied. He had once had a younger brother, so babysitting had practically been a part of his life.
"I don't care. Meet me at 5:30 today. I'll text you the location. Hiraku Mayes, don't be late," Mira said as she popped a piece of bubble gum into her mouth. Standing up, she walked away, her left hand brushing the back of Lisa's hair. Lisa ducked her head slightly and squinted her eyes at Mira as she walked off.
"She's crazy," Lisa said, holding strands of her hair with both hands. She looked at Hiraku thoughtfully, trying to find the right words, but nothing came to mind. Instead, she smiled at Hiraku and continued with her meal.
*
"Um, Mom, can I get a ride to the old church?" Hiraku asked pleadingly. He couldn't understand why Mira would want them to meet at a church.
"Is there a kind of babysitting that happens in a church? Or... is it a baptism? Maybe she really is crazy," Hiraku thought to himself.
"No, dear, that's not possible," Mrs. Akane responded with a mouthful of pie.
"Why not, Mom? You pass there almost all the time," Hiraku said.
"Well, not today, because I'm meeting someone important," she replied, gulping down a glass of juice. She wiped her mouth and looked at Hiraku.
"I'm sorry, bunny bear. I guess you'll have to use your bicycle."
"I guess so," Hiraku said in disappointment.
"Are you going out on a date with Lisa?" Hiraku's mom asked with delight.
"No, some friend asked me for a favor after school."
"Oh, you have another friend? Well, that's good! I mean, that's real progress. You're finally coming out of your shell," she said, beaming with happiness.
"What shell? I'll get going," Hiraku said, giving his mom a hug.
He headed outside to the garage and grabbed his bicycle. Behind the old, worn-out tools scattered across the mahogany table, he spotted his father's bike. He smiled and rolled his bicycle out of the garage.
Just as he was about to ride, Lisa appeared out of nowhere and wrapped her arms around his waist from behind.
"Don't go," Lisa said, her voice gentle with a slight quirkiness.
"I'm not here to play the jealous type. I just feel like she's up to no good."
"Lisa," Hiraku said as she withdrew her embrace. He turned and looked at her with a warm smile, gently placing his hands on the edges of her shoulders.
"I have my reasons for meeting her. It's somewhat related to the way she treats other students."
"Hira, I trust you. But I'm here because my third eye sensed danger. I can't pinpoint where yet, but I feel the demonic trail will materialize soon," she said, shifting her gaze to her watch. Hiraku noticed she had picked up his habit.
"Alright, I won't stay for long. But if you sense the evil aura materialize, give me a call."
"Okay. Bye," Lisa said, raising her right arm slightly above her shoulder. Hiraku leaned closer to her and kissed her forehead.
"Bye," he said before climbing onto his bicycle and riding away.
*
Mira watched him approach on his bicycle. She felt appalled by the nerd's lifestyle, but upon closer inspection, he was quite handsome. His dark eyes and the curvature of his face were surprisingly attractive. Mira couldn't help but wonder why he looked like a totally different person at school.
"Hop on," Hiraku said, holding onto the brakes.
"Are you that broke that you can't at least hire a cab?" Mira asked, her arms folded.
"Well, I guess I am. Besides, it's just a short distance from here. I'm sorry if my ride makes you feel uncomfortable," Hiraku replied calmly, with a glint of exasperation in his eyes.
"I mean, it wouldn't cost anything to hire a cab, would it?"
"Look, if you want to change your mind, I'll pedal back home," Hiraku responded, adjusting the handlebars.
"Fine!" she retorted, her hands dropping in a daunting manner.
"There goes my social life," Mira thought as she climbed onto the bike. Luckily, she was wearing casual jeans. She couldn't imagine how embarrassing it would have been to ride the bike in a skirt.
"Let's go"
"Hold on," Hiraku said as he began pedaling. Mira hesitated before slowly wrapping her arms around his waist. She didn't know why she smiled, but his simple nature warmed her heart a little.
As they rode forward, a tall figure in a long coat and hat stood perched atop a streetlight. Its weight had no effect on the pole as it stared coolly at them pedaling away.
Status de energia semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Pedra de
Poder