I’m My Own High School Rival: Nakamura’s Arc: Heritage

  I waited in the school courtyard for Nakamura to take me home. The warm sun blessed me with warm radiance, illuminating the flowers in their golden bloom. And the blue sky contrasted perfectly with the leaves' youth.

  The majestic sound of chirping birds would grace my ears, but I could not hear their sweet songs because of the crows, or a murder picking at me.

  “Wow, Carter, I like the texture of your hair,” a strange girl said while gently tugging on a dreadlock.

  “How long does it take to make these?” another girl asked, doing the same thing as the other girl.

  “Hey, do you have a girlfriend yet?” another girl asked.

  I often forget who I’m supposed to be—moments like this remind me of what I look like—their questions and actions don’t move me; grown women to budding girls ask to date me, but only one has tried to claim me outright.

  But I hate when they touch my hair; it takes so long for my dad to finish, and touching it excessively causes it to frizz.

  The murder continued and grew in size. At one point, I felt they might block the sun’s brilliance with their darkened thoughts and childish questions.

  “Come on, Carter. Say something cute in English,” another girl said, brushing my shoulder. The force of her touch struck fear in me, reminding me of how forceful an untempered girl could be—not even Tetsusen, with all her strength, was this rough with me.

  How am I supposed to speak English when I didn’t know I was speaking Japanese? Although I had thought how smoothly I adjusted to Kokiri reading and language was strange, I never made anything of it.

  “Antwon, do you find me attractive?”

  “Are you still pure?”

  “Do you have a sister?”

  “I bet you purr like a kitten...”

  Way too far, far too much.

  “I wonder what you taste like.”

  “Antwon, come along.” I waved my hands to silence the flock before pushing past them, finding her reassuring arm—no objectifying squawks from Nakamura, just warmth.

  “Who the hell is she, and why did he just grab her arm?”

  “Maybe they’re dating?”

  “No, I would have heard.”

  I smiled. Nakamura’s attention was elsewhere as she focused on—me?

  “Oh, Nakamura. They’re talking about you as if you spoiled their meal. Be careful, or you’ll make enemies.”

  She sighed and adjusted her glasses, which reflected the sun’s light, creating a blinding glare.

  “Carter, why do you let them treat you like that? You wouldn’t let Tetsusen get away with it, so why them?”

  She was pouting, puckering her bottom lip out.

  It wasn’t as if their taunts didn’t bother me, but they lacked the bite Christina had.

  “I’m not worried about them—they wouldn’t do anything hasty.”

  I caught Nakamura’s peripheral glance—before her eyes returned to center.

  I didn’t forget the full question.

  “Conversely, Tetsusen's advances held power and political weight behind her word. If she questioned me as those girls did, she would force an answer out of me.”

  She reacted with a soft sigh and increased pace.

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  Nakamura—always warm—always protective. But is this a reason to pout? When I pouted, Sakura would call me childish and correct me with her thumb. So…

  I pulled back, slowing her pace—there was no need to rush the moment.

  My resistance captured Nakamura’s attention, and I took advantage of the moment. I reached for her face gently, grazing her cheek, and resting my fingers on the back of her head. I used my thumb to push her protruding lip into its proper place.

  “And just like magic, your pout has vanished!” I said with a smile. I did the same thing to Sakura when she pouted like a child or wore a nasty frown.

  A red hue engulfed her face, and her arm slipped away from mine because of her hastened pace.

  “H-hey! Don’t outpace me or… the murder will swarm me. Nakamura! Stop being selfish!”

  ***

  The sun, a gem in the noon’s sky, hung above our heads, bestowing light on the presentable portions of the open market’s vendors. I had outpaced Antwon for some time, making him regret his decision to touch my lips, and causing me to melt with—with…

  “Nakamura,” he said, just above a whisper, “I know you’re upset with me, but let me hold your arm here—I’ll let go once we clear the market.”

  His fear was tenable; he always drew the most attention here. And since we frequently walk home, his presence was anticipated.

  I slowed, holding out my arm, granting his request. He wrapped around me like a coil or a spring, sending warm shivers up my spine. It’s laughable how my body reacts to his innocent warmth.

  I glanced at his alert expression as he surveyed the market, but an intruding thought crossed my mind: I could see why Cristine Tsukikage would fight for him.

  The thought devoured me, digging its way out from my core and settling on my expression. However, I refused to pout with Antwon around.

  “Nakamura… you’re doing it again.”

  I couldn’t let my thoughts drag me down here—any cracks in my armor, and the less credible women would make unsolicited remarks like—

  “Hey, cutey. Little Miss High School isn’t doing you right. Is that why you look so concerned?” A woman I have never seen in this market said.

  Her hair was shoulder-length with crazy long bangs, while most girls in the Veils territory had long hair. Her sharp jawline and razor-like eyes only served to accentuate her even more. And her black leather jacket raised questions: who wore leather in this heat?

  I pulled Antwon closer, having him swap arms, and shielding him with my body.

  He shuffled into position as we practiced.

  “Nah, she’s doing me just right,” Antwon said, causing the tint in my face to rise.

  What! Antwon? Why would you say that?! We… we’re not doing anything!

  “Well, alright! As long as someone is taking care of you, I’m good. We, girls of Kokiri, have to protect our reputation, ya know.”

  Ludicrous! She reeked of sake and umeshu. I know everyone in this market, but not her…

  We hurried through the market, catching glares from passersby. I could feel Antwon’s heartbeat on my arm.

  “Slow down. Nakamura, please let me rest!”

  I stopped for Antwon’s sake, but I remained vigilant.

  That woman felt wrong and dangerous—I hope she didn’t follow me.

  “Carter, rest while you can, but we must move—don’t ask why, just trust me, please.”

  Antwon looked at me with inquiring eyes and requested more information.

  “Tell me what’s wrong, or I’m not moving until I’ve rested.”

  Damn it, Antwon—

  “I’ve never seen that woman, okay?”

  His eyes answered for him—I sighed out of frustration.

  “This is Veil territory—think of it like an army. Everyone has a uniform profile that ensures Veil members that we belong here; it’s for our safety.”

  I checked for understanding by watching for subtle shifts in his expression.

  “I know where we are, Nakamura, or did you forget about my run-in with the boys of the Veil?"

  I looked around quickly before continuing.

  Okay, Antwon. I’m sorry, but can we walk and talk?

  “Sure, but don’t move too fast."

  I nodded.

  “As I was saying, every woman in the Veil shares distinct features. For example, I have long hair—most of the girls at our school have long hair, and even if it isn’t as long as mine, it falls below the shoulders."

  Antwon ran his hand through his hair.

  “I thought that was a fad.”

  I can see why he would think that.

  “Well, it’s not. Another example is that our facial structures are different, so some girls wear makeup to accentuate the preferred shape.”

  He blinked.

  “Pft, most girls don't wear makeup.”

  “That’s the point, Antwon.”

  Shade had provided a brief reprieve from the sun’s grace.

  “That’s a lot of information, just to say she’s not from around here. But why does being an outsider make her dangerous?”

  Antwon’s perspective was so easygoing, never truly embracing Kokiri’s cannibalistic nature. To a degree, I envied him as a boy for never worrying about the implications of the subtle shifts around him.

  “Are you going to answer me, or stare at me, Nakamura?”

  There’s no need to worry, Antwon.

  “You’re right, Antwon. Perhaps I overthought her strangeness—take my arm to err on the side of caution. "

  https://suno.com/s/AeqI6YglCqPETTXD