Cider

By Amara Alejo

This is a story about a sunny and outgoing girl who thought that her life was going smoothly but suddenly had her entire world turned upside down when her father took a position at an all-girl school on the other side of Japan. Was it destiny, fate, or a prayer that allowed her to meet her celebrity crush and find out the real girl hiding behind the celebrity image? A cold girl discovers freedom where she could never imagine. What will happen when two hearts start to beat as one?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Aug 9, 2023
• ISBN: 9798889601821

Book preview

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Cider

Amara Alejo

Copyright © 2023 Amara Alejo

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING

Conneaut Lake, PA

First originally published by Page Publishing 2023

ISBN 979-8-88960-177-7 (pbk)

ISBN 979-8-88960-182-1 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

When Hearts First Meet

Raffling a Heart

Other Side of a Heart

A Heart Imagined

Heart in a New Light

Two Hearts Draw Closer

Heart's True Wish

Hearts Revealed

A Heart's Celebration

Hearts' First Date

About the Author

When Hearts First Meet

Kiyomi

It was still a couple of days until spring would begin. Most of the winter snow had already melted away to reveal flowers and trees as they bloomed and came back to life. There were happy songbirds that sang their happy songs as they enjoyed the afternoon sun.

Four teenage girls walked down the sidewalk with a middle-aged woman who led the way. They left their junior high school for the last time. She led them to the place that would be their school for the next three years. The girls walked in pairs with the middle-aged woman, who walked two meters in front of them. Three of the girls excitedly chatted away with each other. The fourth one was physically there, but she was distant, deep in her thoughts as she watched the happy birds fly around and climbed high into the sky.

The girl thought, Well, today marks the last day of fun and the beginning of three years of hell being in the same academy as my father and grandfather. Junior high wasn't the greatest time of my life, but at least it got me away from them. I felt happy and free to be me. Whatever that even is. I do not know what that means anymore. I wish that I were like those happy songbirds and could just fly away from all of this. I would go somewhere that I could be free to find true love and be cherished all the days of my—

Kiyomi! a voice yelled as it interrupted her thoughts.

Earth to Kiyomi! Are you there? another voice said as the three other girls started to laugh.

Kiyomi replied, Hmm, yeah?

"We were discussing how excited we are that all four of us made the student council in our first year at the academy. We wanted to know if you were excited about being the youngest Seito Kaichou ever," one of the girls said.

Kiyomi shrugged and said, "Yeah, I guess so. Hey, Okaasan."

Yes, dear? the woman asked.

Kiyomi asked, "Do you think that I was elected Seito Kaichou in a rigged election because they think that I am easily controlled and manipulated?"

No, dear. I think that you won it fairly because you are the top student of your class and deserve it more than anyone else, the woman said.

Your mom is right, Kiyomi. You are better than anyone else and probably most of the new academy, the girl beside Kiyomi said.

Kiyomi smiled and said, Aww. Thank you, Emiko. That's nice of you to say.

"Yeah, if you can lead half as good as you can sing, you will make an all right Seito Kaichou," the girl behind Emiko said.

All four of the girls laughed.

Kiyomi said, Very funny, Ichika. This is coming from the girl that only must go boom, boom, boom throughout the entire concert.

The girls laughed as Kiyomi imitated hitting drums. They composed themselves as they got closer to their new academy.

Kiyomi thought, Yup, here is to the death of fun.

*****

Akari

Here is to the end of middle school and to the beginning of fun in high school, a redheaded girl said as she raised her glass of soda in the air.

Cheers! two other girls said as they clinked their glasses against the redhead's glass.

Too bad today is your last day in Nagasaki, Akari, a brown-haired girl said.

Akari said, I know, right! It is so unfair that my dad up, went, and got a job in Tokyo, making me move away from all that I know. Ahmya and Eshima, you'll stay my friends, right?

You know it, girl, Ahmya said.

We've always got your back, Eshima said.

Where did he get a job at anyways? Ahmya asked.

Akari said, He accepted a position as a sensei at some all-girls academy called Misoto Academy for Girls.

Woah! Ahmya and Eshima exclaimed together.

Akari asked, What?

Are you saying you've never heard of Misoto Academy for Girls? Eshima asked.

Akari asked as she started to get annoyed, What about it?

Misoto Academy for Girls is a very prestigious academy that only family members of staff, prestigious families, and children who have parents loaded with money can get in, Ahmya said.

I heard that they are so strict that they make the students wear boring uniforms and tracking devices. They don't even allow any jewelry or makeup, Eshima said.

Akari was shocked as she asked, For real? How are they supposed to look cute?

I know, right, but who knows if it is all true or not, Eshima said.

How did your dad get the position anyways? Ahmya asked.

Akari replied, He got offered the position after the prior sensei got relieved for being too touchy-feely with some of the students.

Wow, that's a bummer, Ahmya said.

Akari said, I know, right? Just because he wants to be a giant pervert he must go and ruin my life.

Speaking of perverts…check out those two freaks walking down the sidewalk, Eshima said as she looked out the window.

Akari and Ahmya looked out the window with Eshima as they watched two high school girls walked down the sidewalk and hold hands. They stopped, looked around, shared a quick kiss, and continued on their way.

Nobody wants to see that, Ahmya said.

Yeah, get a room you two freaks, Eshima said.

Akari said, Come on. Don't give them a hard time. It's not any of our business what they do.

Akari, please tell me that you aren't turning into one of them just because you will be going to an all-girls academy, Eshima said.

Yeah, don't you have a boyfriend right now? Ahmya asked.

Akari said, Had a boyfriend is the keyword. I dumped him after school today. He was becoming too clingy and wanted to take it to the next level. I told him not my style and kicked him to the curb. Besides, long distance relationships never work.

True, they never do, Ahmya said.

Akari looked at the time and said, Oh, shoot. I must get home because we are leaving tonight. I will video chat with you all tomorrow when I get the chance. BFFs?

BFFs forever! Ahmya and Eshima said together.

The three of them laughed as Akari grabbed her stuff and walked out of the café. She waved to her two friends as she walked by their window as she headed home. Akari texted her mom.

Akari messaged, On my way home but going to make a quick stop by Inari's shrine.

Akari's mom messaged, Okay, dear. Don't take too long. We still have to finish packing, catch the train to the airport, and make our flight to Tokyo.

Akari messaged, "I won't, Okaasan. I promise. See you soon."

Akari's mom messaged, Okay, see you soon.

Akari put on some music from her favorite band, locked her phone, and put it in her pocket. She enjoyed the warm sunny afternoon. She thought about what she was going to pray about when she got to Inari's temple.

Akari was startled by a sound that came from her right. On top of the fence to her right sat a raven that stared down at her. Akari quickly walked past it and watched the raven until she rounded the corner.

*****

Kiyomi

"Good afternoon, everyone. As many of you should know, I am Chancellor Misoto. I am the Chairman of Misoto Academy for Girls. The reason we are here today is to see the outgoing members of the student council off to better things in life as well as welcome in the new members who were elected to replace them. We are saddened to see so many excellent leaders move on, but we wish them best of luck in what life holds for them. Behind me on the stage are two lines of leaders. The line in the front stands for how in the past we have held up our prestigious reputation and standards. The line in the back stands for how we hope to continue the same prestigious reputation and standards into the future. Before we begin with the changeover from the old student council members to the new student council members, I would like to invite the graduating Seito Kaichou, Hara-San, to the podium to say a few words," Chancellor Misoto said.

Hara-San walked forward and bowed to Chancellor Misoto. He bowed back. Then Chancellor Misoto stepped aside to allow Hara-San to step in front of the podium. She adjusted the microphone and cleared her throat.

Thank you, chancellor, for the chance to speak before all of you today, Hara said.

Kiyomi tried to listen but thought, Sofu and Hara-San sure like to hear themselves speak. It is surprising that their overinflated egos do not get in the way of each other. I heard that she was a cruel Seito Kaichou but also brought honor to the position. I hope that I can also bring honor to the position. I really hope that I don't forget the lines that I am supposed to say in my speech. Otosan and Sofu ridicule me enough as it is. I don't want to add something else to that list. I really hate this miserable family sometimes. I wish that I could be free to be a normal teenager every once in awh—

Kiyomi was startled by the sound of clapping that signaled the end of Hara-San's speech. She clapped along with everyone else. Hara-San bowed to Chancellor Misoto, faced Kiyomi, and she stopped two meters in front of Kiyomi. When she was even with the front line, they turned around to face the back line. Those in the front line took off their armbands off their right arms and handed them to the person directly in front of them. Then those in the back line took the armbands and slipped them on their right arms. The two lines swapped places, and the back line turned around to face the crowd. The crowd clapped until Chancellor Misoto stepped up to the podium.

"Well done, everyone. Currently, I would like to invite the new Seito Kaichou, Misoto-San, to the podium to share a few words," Chancellor Misoto said.

The crowd clapped as Kiyomi walked forward. She bowed before him, and he bowed back.

As Kiyomi passed by Chancellor Misoto, he whispered, You better not mess this up, child.

Kiyomi stepped to the podium. She adjusted the microphone and cleared her throat.

Kiyomi said, Thank you, chancellor, board members, the many senseis, and soon-to-be fellow classmates for the opportunity given to me to lead our student council in a transitional period from the old leaders to the next generation of leaders. I would be amiss to not thank Hara-San for setting the groundwork for me to continue the legacies, standards, and traditions that have made our institution a shining example of honor and prestige. I plan to continue the same legacies, standards, and traditions for the next three years to not only reach new heights but to make Misoto Academy for Girls the standard that all other academies will look to as the beacon of excellence, hope, and the pinnacle of success. It saddens me to see our old colleagues move on, but I am hopeful for their future endeavors. I am also hopeful for our future endeavors that will lead us into the future.

The crowd clapped as Kiyomi turned and bowed to Chancellor Misoto. He bowed back. Kiyomi rejoined the front line. They continued to clap until Chancellor Misoto stepped forward to the podium and cleared his throat.

Well done. Well done, everyone. This concludes our festivities here today. I look forward to seeing all the new and returning faces in the new school year on April 11. Thank you all for coming and have a great spring break, Chancellor Misoto said before he walked off.

The crowd got up and started to leave. The two lines congratulated each other. Something caught Kiyomi's eye as she saw a white dove climbing high into the sky.

*****

Akari

Akari, dear, do you have your bags packed for stuff that you will need until the rest of our stuff arrives on Monday at our new home? a woman asked.

Akari replied, "Yes, Okaasan. I would like to say how unfair this whole thing is."

We know, dear. As we have said many times before, that is a chance in a lifetime for your father. We are all making sacrifices in this move, Akari's mom replied.

Reina, Akari, are you both ready to go to the train station? a man's voice asked.

Yes, Tadao. We are ready, Reina said.

Akari exclaimed, "Otosan! This is not fair!"

I know, honey. This will be a good move. You will just need to give it a chance. Besides, we have a surprise for you, Tadao replied.

Akari ran into the living room with her bags, excited and confused.

Akari asked, You all have a surprise for me?

Yes, dear. Your dad received a ticket for you. It is a ticket for front row center stage to, I believe, is your favorite band as you always say. I believe the band is called ‘Raven's Flock.' But if you don't want to move, I am sure someone would be more than happy to take the ticket from us, Reina said as she smiled.

Akari took the ticket from her mom. Her eyes lit up when she looked at it. It was a bona fide ticket to see Raven's Flock in concert tomorrow night. She squealed for joy and jumped up and down excitedly. She realized her parents were watching her. Akari composed herself as her parents laughed.

Akari asked, What are we waiting for? Don't we have a train and plane to catch?

Well, you heard her, honey. We better get going, or we may miss the train and our flight, Tadao teased.

"Yes, we better get going. Akari, make sure you