Chapter 17: Final Frontier

Meanwhile, Kouji was at work. He had a ten-minute break, and he sat at the back of the coffee shop, leaning against the cold wall. He reached into his pocket of his black pants, but then suddenly remembered again that the hat wasn't there anymore. He started into the semi-gray sky. He missed Izumi very much. The time he had a chance to talk to her, he blew it and made up some other junk that he wished he hadn't said. He then stared at the gravel ground. He came to thinking that sometime in his lifetime he should tell Izumi of what he had been feeling for seven years for her, although it was not like him to express his feelings. But he couldn't find any courage. And he didn't want to, although he did want to tell her. His dark marine ocean blue eyes stared into space, thinking. He took a long sigh, and looked back at the partially gray sky. "I miss Izumi," Kouji thought. "Sometimes I wish she'd come to me and comfort me when I'm down, which is always, also—."

"Kouji! Your break is up!" his boss called from the interior of the coffeehouse. Kouji got up and resumed work. He grabbed a rag and wiped the dirty tables just used by customers. "Stupid lazy customers… the trash can is right there and they can't even walk a few steps to throw their crap away," he thought. "Well Kouji, you've done a good job, so your shift is over," his boss said. Kouji nodded, hung his work apron and left. He opened his car and drove back to his dorm.

Izumi was driving back to her dorm with Asami. Izumi walked to the housing office to pick up her key and walked back to her dormitory. Izumi opened the door and unpacked her boxes. She set her linen; Asami set up her desk and Internet. Izumi took out her alarm clock and bathroom necessities. Asami took out her pillows and everything was set. Izumi and Asami both hung Izumi's clothes on hangers provided in the closet and arranged the shoes. They were finally done. It was kind of bare, but it was good enough.

Kouji finally arrived home, but he'd thought he should talk to Asami. Kouji didn't feel like this nor did he want to have feelings for someone. He locked his car and walked to Asami's dormitory. It was seven o' clock at night and he walked to Asami's side of the campus, where her dormitory was located. His gray shoes were making noises as he walked on the asphalt sidewalk. Other people passes Kouji, but it was like wind to him. He didn't mind or care. He walked to Asami's dormitory, slid his keycard to open the dorm housing, and walked quietly up the stairs. He walked to Asami's room and knocked on the door. "I'm in this room," Asami called two doors away from where Kouji was standing.

"Asami," Kouji called, walking through the hallway.

Izumi's ears lit up. She immediately looked up and realized the tone of which the voice belonged to. It was Minamoto Kouji. She immediately stood up and smiled at him from her standpoint at the closet. Kouji stood by the doorframe, hands in his pockets of his blackish-gray pants.

"Uh, good evening Asami, Izumi," he said, staring at the white carpet.

"Hello Kouji," Asami said, sitting on a chair. Izumi stood there, staring at him. Kouji became quite uncomfortable just standing there like a pole, but he really couldn't think of anything to say.

"Kouji, how are you?"

Kouji immediately looked up; staring at Izumi, joyed that Izumi was talking to him. "I'm kind of tired,"

"Why?"

"Well, I'm working a lot and I stay up late most of the time to finish my work,"

"Maybe you should quit your part-time job and get your degree first," Izumi suggested.

"I can't."

"Where is your dorm, Kouji?"

"Three buildings away from this building," he said quietly, "Anyway, it was nice seeing you, Izumi," Kouji quickly walked out and left the hallway and out of the building. Izumi wanted to say something, but she didn't and just stood there.

"Izumi, are you just going to stand there and let your clothes crumple in your bag?"

"Huh? Oh, I'll help you," Izumi said, trampling over her bag.

"Are you okay, Izumi?"

"Wha— Oh, I'm fine," Izumi said, taking more clothes out.

"If something is troubling you, you can tell me," Asami said comfortingly.

"Its just, Kouji lied to me two days ago for some reason…"

"Is that what's bothering you?"

"…Yes."

"Well, Kouji tends to hide himself a lot and he doesn't like revealing himself very much, so you shouldn't except much,"

"Oh," Izumi said, taking more clothes and shoes to the closet.

"Well Izumi, I have some unfinished work to do, so I'll help you get to your classes in the morning,"

"Thanks, Asami," Izumi said, stuffing some more clothes in her drawers.

Asami opened her door and put her purse down. She decided to get some fresh air and stay outside for a little bit to clear her mind. She walked down the stairs and went outside. After three steps she noticed Kouji standing, his back turned, gazing at the sky.

"Kouji? What are you doing here?

"Huh? Oh I'm just thinking."

"About what?"

"Nothing," Kouji said, and walked back to his dorm.

Asami stared at him and wondered, "Does he like Izumi? Its not like him to act like this, well he is covering up pretty well for an introverted person, but I can tell he cares very much for her,"

"Kouji!" she called.

"Are you sure you don't want to tell me what's bother you? You don't look well, aside from work and school, it looks like something's bothering you."

"No, I don't wish to tell you, but I will anyway, except you cannot repeat it to anyone."

"I won't."

Kouji stared at the ground for three seconds, gave a heavy sign, and then looked up at the sky, "I miss her…" he said and walked back to his dorm.

Asami just stared at him, "He must really love Izumi after all these years, and he never told me, but I could tell just by his actions," she thought. She walked back to her dormitory, walked back upstairs, passing Izumi's room and lied down on her bed. She finished her remaining papers and went to sleep. Izumi remained in her room, sitting on her bed, holding a pillow. "Kouji…" she thought, turned off the light, and went to sleep. Izumi woke up bright and early the next day, she opened the closet and looked for something to wear on her first day. Although first semester was almost done, she needed to meet her teachers first and buy books. It was almost Christmas, but at least she was moved in. She opened her closet door and looked for something to wear. She took out something she hadn't worn in a long time, and yet it still fit her. She took out a fuchsia skirt and a white shirt. She then took out her fuchsia trench coat. It was too cold to be wearing skirts at this season, but she just wanted to for time sake. She went to the bathroom to brush her teeth and brush her golden hair, and she put her hat on and arranged it. She knocked on Asami's door. She didn't answer the door. She knocked again. Asami fell out of bed and groggily walked to the door,

"What?" she asked tiredly, looking sleepy, and her hair very nappy. "Oh, Izumi, don't you know classes don't begin till ten? Its only seven in the morning…"

"Oh, sorry! I didn't know."

"Well its okay, I guess," Asami said. "Go downstairs to the kitchen, I'll make some breakfast." Asami and Izumi headed downstairs and ate.

Meanwhile, three buildings away, a sleeping Kouji was on his desk, smothered in papers and his laptop running. Tama woke him up.

"Kouji, wake up."

"Huh?" Kouji said, getting his face off his desk, while some of his papers fell to the floor. "Oh shit, this paper is due today and I only wrote half of it!"

"Well since you helped me realize to work harder, I'll help you with this,"

"What? I can't let you do that…"

"As a return of thanks, Kouji."

Kouji nodded fell into bed and went to sleep. Tama woke him up three hours later. "Here Kouji, I'm done."

"Thanks," Kouji said, and printed his paper out and threw it in his binder and into his backpack and walked out his room. He grabbed his bandanna off the nightstand and walked to the bathroom. He tied his hair into a tidy ponytail and tied his indigo bandanna on. It was nine-thirty. He grabbed his blue jacket and backpack and walked to class. It was a cold, foggy morning and Kouji wasn't in the mood. He was still tired. He thought of why he didn't finish his Biology paper last night. He remembered what he was doing last night. He was sitting on his chair last night, thinking of Izumi. "Izumi," he thought and walked to Organic Chemistry class.

Izumi and Asami were on campus walking around. Asami stopped saying, "Well, this is my class. You have Child Psychology right now, and it's in that building in room 243. Your last class today is Biology, which is at that building in room 1024," she explained and opened the door to her classroom and left.

"Thanks, Asami," Izumi said, looking around. "Oh crud, I think I'm lost. Okay, calm down Izumi," she thought. "Remember what Asami said. Okay… where is the psychology building? Why can't they label them? It would be so much easier." Izumi immediately ran to the University map. She skimmed through the guide. "Psychology…psychology…" she thought, while skimming through the map guide. She finally found it, and realized that the building was right in front of her. She felt embarrassed, but ran inside. "Okay, where is room 243…" she thought, quietly passing everyone else. She finally found it, and surprisingly, she was on time. She walked up to the sensei said, "Excuse me, I'm Orimoto Izumi. I just transferred here," she said, holding her books. "Oh yes, Izumi, My name is Yamamoto-sensei. I had a notice a new transfer student would be coming in. Please sit there."

"Thank you," Izumi said, sitting down quietly. Other students came and occasionally peered at her. Izumi didn't mind as she was used to people looking at her because she was distinctly standing out in the crowd. Izumi quietly took notes throughout the entire period. Meanwhile, Kouji was at his Organic Chemistry class, about to fall asleep because the lights were turned off while the overhead projector was on, the sensei babbling boring notes that Kouji already knew. Kouji's dropped the pen in his hand and fell asleep on his notes. Back where Izumi was, she remained quiet and left quietly as the session was over. She grabbed her bag and hoped to catch Asami somewhere so she could find her next class. While leaving, she heard some comments from other girls.

"That new transfer girl stands out," one girl said.

"Yeah, she does. She doesn't even bother to say 'Hi' to any of us. She must think she's better than us," another guy said.

Izumi looked down at the tiled floor while upon hearing these comments. She left without saying a word and found Asami outside.

"Izumi, how was class?"

"Pretty boring. I just took notes the entire time. I already know the things they are teaching in that room."

"Well, why don't you ask to be put in a higher class level?"

"It's fine," Izumi said, "I sort of got lost, but I eventually found my way,"

"I'm sorry Izumi, I should have walked you to your class,"

"No it's fine, I was actually on time, but it would be nice if you could take me to my biology class."

"All right," Asami said as they walked to another building where Izumi's class was.

Meanwhile, Kouji was still in class. He was still snoozing as his sensei woke him up. "Minamoto, this is the third time you've been sleeping in class, is something wrong?"

"Huh? What? I'm sorry ! I'll get back to work," Kouji said frantically, writing his notes.

"Kouji, class has been over for five minutes," he said calmly to him. "You've pulled your grade up tremendously in this class, but overly so that you stress yourself out."

"I'm sorry," he said as he yawned and grabbed his backpack and walked to Biology class. He walked tiredly to his last class for the day. He slid the door when suddenly something caught his eye. Izumi was talking to his Biology teacher. "I must be dreaming," he thought and rubbed his eyes. "Orimoto Izumi, I normally let anyone sit wherever they want, but since I only have one last opening, you'll have to sit there," the sensei said nicely, and Izumi nodded and walked to her seat. Kouji stood at the doorway, jaw open and all.

"Minamoto, is there a problem?" his sensei asked.

Kouji replied three seconds later. "What? Oh, I'm fine," he said nonchalantly. But inside he was thinking, "Oh crap! What is Izumi doing here? Now I have to sit next to her!" Kouji nervously but calmly sat next to her and took out his binder full of notes. He pulled out his written essay paper and turned it in, and went back to his seat.

"Morning, Kouji," Izumi said quietly.

"Oh hey there, Izumi," Kouji said, staring at the wooden desk.

He turned his head and looked at him. He had never noticed she had become much more beautiful since seventh grade. "Is Kouji staring at me? Pff, I wish," Izumi thought, writing her name on a piece of paper. Kouji realized what he was doing and immediately turned his head back looking forward, and wrote his name on a paper. Then he realized he just wrote Izumi's name on the paper. "Crap!" Kouji thought, and crumpled the paper. He took out another and wrote his name. Then the sensei turned on the overhead projector and turned the lights off. "Man, why does every teacher need to use an overhead projector? I don't want to fall asleep in front of Izumi," he thought, yawning at the same time. Kouji got bored listening about invertebrates from his professor and stared at his paper. He peered at Izumi, who was taking many notes while his paper had practically nothing on it.

"Crud…" he thought again.

"Kouji must be very tired if he can't take any notes," Izumi thought "Kouji, are you okay?" Izumi whispered to Kouji.

"Huh? Oh I'm fine," Kouji replied back, blushing a little bit.

Luckily, it was dark in the classroom so no one could see Kouji's face expressions. "Excuse me," the professor said, standing right in front of Izumi and Kouji. "There is no talking during my lectures," he said.

"I am sorry, I was the one who interrupted, so blame me," Izumi said quietly. Kouji was dumbfounded. Izumi took the blame for Kouji. He stared at her while sensei kept babbling on and on with his lecture. By the time class was over, Kouji still hadn't written any notes. Izumi quietly left class and Kouji followed. "Minamoto and Orimoto!" the professor called.

"Yes?" Izumi asked meekly.

"Please do no interrupt my class instruction time,"

"I am very sorry, it won't happen again," Izumi said, looking at the floor.

"Sorry," Kouji said quietly and left. Izumi followed behind him.

Izumi left the classroom and caught up to Kouji. "I'm very sorry, Kouji," Izumi said apologetically.

"It's all right. I'm used to scolding," Kouji said quietly.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah."

"Well, I that's the end of all my classes for today,"

"Mine too. I don't have to go to work for another five hours. I'm doing the night shift though."

"Izumi, why did you move in if vacation for this semester is in two days?"

"Its better for me to get settled now than after."

"Oh I see."

There was an uncomfortable silence. The wind blew in their hair.

"Kouji, how are you, I mean, as of now?" Izumi asked, to break the silence.

"Uh.." Kouji said, thinking of something to say,"

"Well, I'm studying to become a Computer Technician. I'm taking it only because my parents want me too. I'm taking Biology and Organic Chemistry as electives. I'm pretty tired lately, and I wish vacation would start already, but then I still have to work on vacations."

"I see."

"And you?"

"Well, basically, I've been stuck in Venice for a long time studying to become a psychologist in Child Behaviors and studies. My father has a very good paying career, so I don't need a job for the time being."

Asami walked out the building from her last class of the day and saw Izumi. She was going to catch up to her, but then she saw Kouji. She smiled and let them be as they were. She walked back to her dormitory to complete her work. She didn't want to be an obvious third wheel.

Izumi and Kouji began walking around the sidewalk. They walked around and sat on a bench. "Kouji, so is everything okay?"

"Well I guess, I haven't changed much."

"Sure you have, you look a little different, I'm glad I'm back here in Jiyuugaoka," Izumi said, smiling.

Kouji stared at her.

"During the whole seven years I was pretty alone because everyone gets the wrong idea of my when I remain quiet. They don't bother to associate with me because I'm different. Just because I spent some time in another country isn't a reason to treat me differently. Many girls think I'm conceited because I don't talk a lot on the first days in new places. As for guys, well they only like me for the way I look, and do not see to it to the real me. But now, I have my real friends here in Jiyuugaoka. And I'm glad to be back here where there are some people who appreciate me for who I am."

Kouji stared at her, listening carefully to her story.

"Izumi, I understand," he finally said. "Practically no one understands me. My father is too busy on business trips most of the time, and my stepmother is very outgoing ninety percent of the time. My brother seems to make more friends than I will in a lifetime. Because of my father moving from place to place, I usually changed schools and didn't care if I didn't make many friends. But then we finally settled here in Jiyuugaoka. I still didn't make any friends. But, I learned how to cope with it and not care. I also think that 'friends' get in the way, but I learned the hard way that they aren't. But I still wish to be alone and enjoy the solitude around me. And not a lot of people understand that."

Izumi just looked intently at him. "Wow… I never knew someone so cold-hearted like Kouji could open up like this…" she thought.

"Kouji," she said, putting her hand on his, "Just remember, I understand."

She smiled, then let go.

Kouji blushed but then stood up.

"Izumi, I need to go to work now," Kouji said, holding his backpack over his shoulder and his other hand in his pocket and left. Izumi remained sitting on the bench where they had talked.

"Kouji…" Izumi thought. "We both have the same experiences… wait, didn't he say he didn't have work for five hours? Strange."

She got up and walked back to her dormitory. When she got back, she went to her room and turned her laptop on. Then she heard a knock on the door. "Come in," Izumi said,

"Izumi, how was class?"

"It was sort of boring all I did was take a lot of notes. Also something interesting happened in my Biology class."

"What?"

"Well, Kouji and I are in the same class, and the sensei in that class is so strict on talking. Most professors don't care if you talk."

"Well, he's old, most likely."

"I guess you're right."

"By the way, since vacation starts after tomorrow, there won't be much to do on last days, except chat, so you don't have to go, if you don't want to."

"I guess I should go home for Christmas."

"Yeah, hey look, it's snowing, Izumi," Asami said, looking out the window.

"Wow, its beautiful… reminds me of Iwate-san Mountains and Kou— uhh… I mean I love snow!" Izumi said, looking out the window.

Asami smiled. "They really belong together, and yet they don't know…" she thought.

"You know, I think I'll go home tonight, Asami."

"You need help?"

"Well, not really. You've done enough for me already. Here is the thing I've been keeping and taking very good care of for you and I want you to have it back," Izumi handed the silver chain necklace to her.

"This reminded me that I had friends who liked me for whom I really was…" smiling, and hugged Asami.

Asami was shocked started crying, and said "Thank you... Izumi,"

"I guess I should be going," Izumi said, and reached into the closet to get a white scarf. "Well, I'll see you after vacation, Asami," and walked down the hallway.

"Izumi!" Asami called from the hallway.

"Yes?"

"Here's my home phone number. Give me a call on Christmas."

"I will," Izumi said, smiling. She walked down the hallway and to her car. Asami stood in the hallway, smiling serenely, still holding the silver chain in her hands. "Thank you… Orimoto Izumi…" and walked back to her room.

Izumi walked outside, her shoes making noise with every step. She turned a corner and rammed into someone, dropping her bag on the ground.

"Ung!" she said and looked up. It was Minamoto Kouji.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Izumi," he said, and picked up her bag.

Izumi looked up and said, "It's quite all right, Kouji,"

"Well, here's your bag, Izumi," he said quietly and handed it to her.

"Thanks."

Kouji slowly walked right by her, but then she said,

"Kouji… are you doing anything on Christmas?"

"I'm going to work… but that's it."

"That's it? No time with family?"

"I guess…"

"Well that's not proper!"

"They have other affairs to attend to and I really have to pay off college loans, so it's okay, Izumi," he said and walked away.

Izumi stood there with her hand in the air then put it down. "Kouji… you're even alone at a time like this. I wish I could do something for you," she thought, staring at him walk away.

Izumi walked to her car and drove home. Kouji walked back to his dorm, but didn't go inside. Instead he stayed in the hallway. He leaned against the door of his dorm. "Izumi…" he thought. Then Tama opened the door, book in hand.

"Hey," Tama said.

"Hi," Kouji said, not bothering to look up and reached into the refrigerator for some beer and sat next to Tama.

"Kouji, what are doing?"

"Nothing."

"Hey, don't drink too much of that."

"I won't."

Kouji didn't care and drank three cans. Tama looked up from his book and said, "Hey Kouji, that's enough. Alcohol ruins your liver you know. You taught me that I can't escape life by drinking, so quit it."

Kouji looked at him dizzily. "O-hey-y-y… Tama… when did you get here?"

"Kouji stop drinking!"

"I … I miss her…" he said.

"Huh? Miss who?"

"Orimoto Izumi…"

"Izumi? Is that whom the hat that you always carry belongs to?"

"Uh-huh…" Kouji said again, slightly drunk. Then slammed his head on the table with his eyes closed. "Oww…" Kouji said quietly and resumed sleeping.

"Kouji, stop this! It's not like you to go off and drink!"

"Yes it is…" he said, still eyes closed.

"If she really means so much to you, why don't you?"

"I can't."

"Why?"

"I'm scared."

"Well, try at least!"

"I don't want to…"

"You're stubborn. I'm throwing the alcohol in the trash."

Tama got up and took the remaining bottles and emptied them in the sink, leaving Kouji in his soberness. He took his books and studied in his room since Kouji was lying all over the table. He woke up Kouji woke up the next morning. Kouji woke up, holding his head lying on the table and saw Tama eating cereal from the couch.

"Huh? What… I don't remember sleeping here…"

"You were slightly intoxicated last night."

"I was? Why?"

"Because you are yearning for someone that I don't know."

"Uhh.. I'm not!" Kouji said, getting red in the face. He simply got up and went to the bathroom and washed his face.

It was eleven thirty and he remembered that he told Mr. Yasuyuki he could come in around noon.

"Crud, my head hurts. I don't feel like going. But if I still want to go school here, I have to…" he thought, then grabbed his bandanna and car keys and left. Kouji drove to Jiyuugaoka Coffee shop and resumed work like he always did. Izumi went home and did practically nothing except watch television and help her mother cook dinner. A couple of her mother's old friends visited, so Izumi was left with nothing to do. And her mother was too busy becoming reacquainted with old friends. It was around eight o'clock and Izumi decided to see if Kouji was still at work. It was snowing. Izumi grabbed her fuchsia trench coat and white scarf and gloves, ran out the door and drove off. Kouji was almost about to leave work and hung his apron. He sighed, thinking of his monotonous life as if it was going nowhere. Izumi parked and walked outside. Kouji walked outside with his regular blue snow gear jacket he had wore at Iwate-san Mountains. Of course it wouldn't fit him till now, so he had a bigger size. He stood outside, staring at the snow on the sidewalk. Izumi walked through the parking lot and noticed a familiar figure. It was Kouji. Izumi slowly walked to him and stopped. Kouji, as usual thought it was some pedestrian and didn't bother turning around. But Izumi slightly tapped him on the shoulder. Kouji spun around. It was Izumi.

"Merry Christmas, Kouji," she said to him cheerfully while smiling.

Kouji blushed and said squeakily, "You too, Izumi."

"Would you like to walk around?"

"I guess so."

"After what you told me yesterday about being alone at a time like this, I felt really bad for you and I wanted to return the favor after saving my life seven years ago."

"Think nothing of it," Kouji said silently, looking at the snowy ground.

"How is Jiyuugaoka?" he asked, trying to think of something although he had asked her that twice previously.

"It's a lot better than Venice. At least you're here."

Kouji blushed. He really didn't have much to say. They walked quietly, enjoying the snow slowly drifting down. While walking, Izumi tripped on a raised sidewalk ledge and fell onto the snow. It both reminded them of Iwate-san Mountains. Kouji let his hand out. Izumi stared at it. It looked exactly back as it was at Iwate-san Mountains. "C'mon, or do you want to stay there?" Kouji asked, getting impatient. Izumi accepted and put her hand on his. He pulled her up from the snow and put his hands back in his pocket. They again didn't say anything, but Kouji decided to talk.

"Izumi," he said quietly.

"Yes?"

"I'd like to know, but why did you come to visit me at work?"

"I already told you why I'm here," she thought, but immediately stared at the snow. She blushed just staring at it. She finally looked up and said, "Kouji, I missed you. I missed you throughout all these years. All I really wanted was to be back here in Jiyuugaoka. Now that you know, you probably don't care much." Izumi said slowly then looked away.

"Izumi, I— I didn't know. Izumi, I've missed you all these years too. It's… I'm sorry. I'm not good at things like this. I mean I don't want to express my feelings. You were the closest thing I had to a real friend. At first, I thought you were a pushover when I first met you, but then I noticed your inner beauty. And I learned from you that I have too much to live for to not always hide in the corner all the time." He said, and slowly gave her a warm, embracing hug. Izumi was shocked but hugged him back. The snow floated slowly around them and the breeze blew softly. Izumi was overjoyed. She started tearing, but this time it was happy tears. Kouji wiped her tears with his hand and stared at her. Izumi wiped her remaining tears and gazed at him. Kouji gazed back. Their faces drew closer and closer and finally shared a loving kiss. Izumi had a tear in her eye and remained there, hugging Kouji.

"I love you… Kouji-kun…" Izumi said softly.

Kouji couldn't bring himself to say it, and only hugged her back tighter. Izumi and Kouji remained there, cherishing this experience.

Minamoto Kouji and Orimoto Izumi both earned their credentials after three years of hard work and study, gaining their good careers. After two years graduated from college, it took all of Kouji's courage to pop her the question. Izumi blissfully said "Yes" and they both became married. Ichiyusai Asami and Fuyutsuki Tama were together, thanks to Kouji and Izumi who played matchmaker to put them together. They were also both Kouji and Izumi's best friends. As for Izumi, she was happier than she had ever been in a long time. As for Kouji, he was still the introverted and quiet person he was, but he opened up, which helped him to become content and not conceal himself all the time. For Miyamoto, well, she ended up in the dumps. And as it came, all four of them both had something. True happiness. Kouji and Izumi always…

The End