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“Ooh, you brought strawberry daifuku,” Weronika noted as she walked into the classroom that Noa had reserved.
“The sweets are from your family’s shop, right Fukushima-san?” Haruna asked, following Weronika.
“Yup! And I learned how to make matcha from Rei-chan. Only the best for my precious cuti – um, students,” said Noa, “Anyway, now that you two are here, we can get started with the poetry.”
Noa had managed to get Yoba academy’s permission to host a small class about traditional Japanese poetry. It was mostly an excuse to get a bunch of cute girls into one room, but Noa had prepared for actual poetry writing. In addition to Weronika and Haruna, the rest of Lyrical Lily, Saori, Nagisa, Esora, and Saki had all gathered.
“You know, I actually wrote some of this traditional Japanese poetry back in America. One of my English teachers was really into poetry, so we wrote haikus one class,” Weronika said.
“Believe it or not, haiku are actually pretty modern. Traditional Japanese poetry is a bit longer and the syllable structure is different. Today, I thought it might be fun to write sedoka,” Noa said.
Miyu raised her hand.
“Yes, my darling Miyu-chan?” Noa said.
“What’s a sedoka?” Miyu asked.
“They’re not much longer than a haiku. Instead of 5-7-5, they’re 5-7-7 syllables. But the best part of a sedoka is that they’re usually paired into a dialog. So, I thought we could try writing one poem for someone else, and then they could reply with a poem of their own,” Noa explained, “Sedoka are a great way to tell other people about your deepest emotions. Actually, I prepared one for you, Saki-chan. Would you be okay writing a reply to it?”
“Okay, Noa-san,” Saki said.
Noa pulled out a piece of paper and started reading.
“To live in this world
By your side is a blessing
You’re so, so cute Saki-chan!!!!!!”
“That… certainly has the correct number of syllables, I suppose,” Haruna said.
“I can understand your feelings clearly, Noa-san,” said Saki, “But shouldn’t Japanese poetry be more reserved? For example…”
Saki picked up one of the brushes that Noa had prepared and messily scribbled some lines, adjusting until she was satisfied.
“Sitting by our side
I don’t need to watch the sky
I’m sure of the moon’s beauty”
Noa blushed.
“Can I kiss you, Saki-chan?” Noa asked.
“I suppose it’s the sensible thing to do after we confessed our love to each other,” Saki said.
The kiss Noa gave Saki was passionate, tender, and long. After it was done, Noa lied down.
“You’ve made all my goals in life come true, Saki-chan. I’m die. Thank you forever,” Noa said.
Then she was gone.
“Um… is Noa-chan alright?” Miyu asked.
Saki nodded.
“Noa is just like this sometimes. As her new girlfriend, I’ll take care of her,” Saki said.
“Great. Then I can start on these snacks while we wait for her to wake up,” Weronika said.
“While the snacks Noa has prepared are excellent, it’s important to only eat your fair share. I also think that we should do our best to fulfil the spirit of today’s class and write some poetry even while she’s recovering,” Haruna insisted.
“Really? …Oh, you know what, fine. I think I came up with a poem just for you,” said Weronika.
“For me?” Haruna asked.
“Yup.
Your heart burns brightly
Like a gas fire started by
A guy who chucked a cigarette,” Weronika recited.
“First of all, that last line has an extra syllable,” Haruna said, “And what’s that even supposed to mean.”
“It’s about how passionate you always are… passionately angry about the dumbest thing,” Weronika said.
“Why you! …
Your fighter’s spirit
Can only suffer from the
Meaningless battles you start!” Haruna replied
As Haruna and Weronika continued to argue in the form of poems, Miiko turned to her Nagisa.
“I think Weronika’s poem inspired me, Nagisa-chan,” Miiko said.
“Really? Weronika’s poem? What did you come up with?” Nagisa asked curiously.
“Your guitar playing
Makes my heart stop just like I
Sat on an electric chair,” Miiko said.
“That’s, uh… a bit morbid, isn’t it?” Nagisa asked her girlfriend.
“It’s about how amazing your music and performances always are! And the electric chair part makes a lot of sense because it’s about how excited Miiko always gets watching and it’s electric just like your guitar,” Miiko explained, “Now you come up with a poem.”
“Hmm…
May my song to you,
Be a diffibulator
And give you life… uh… my darling,” Nagisa said, counting syllables on her hands.
“Aww, that’s so sweet, Nagisa-chan,” Miiko said.
“I’m glad you liked it!” Nagisa replied.
Turning her attention away from the very unique poems being composed and recited, Saori noticed Miyu carefully writing a poem.
“Do you want some help with that, Miyu?” Saori asked.
“Thank you, Saori-chan, but not this time. While my skills in calligraphy are nothing compared to yours, since this poem is for you, I don’t want to show it to you until it’s done,” said Miyu.
“O-oh. I’ll look forward to it then,” said Saori.
After a little while, Miyu handed a piece of paper to Saori with a proud smile on her face.
“Duck who I follow
Thank you for your tender care
But may I swim by your side?
Aww, of course, you can, Miyu,” Saori said.
Saori gave Miyu a hug.
“Thank you, Saori-chan, but you need to answer my feelings with another poem,” Miyu said.
“Oh, right,” said Saori.
With her calligraphy experience, it took Saori a little less time to write her reply.
“I would look with joy
Watching you swim by my side
Down the river of our lives.
Yes, Saori-chan! I will marry you!” Miyu exclaimed.
“M-marry,” Saori stuttered.
“Yes. I’m so happy to know that you want to share the rest of your life with me. I think I’d also like nothing better,” Miyu said.
“Oh. But, uh, we should still go through all the proper steps, so would you be okay with starting as girlfriends?” Saori asked desperately.
“I’m not sure why we need to since we already know that we wish to be together till death do us part, but if you think it’s best, Saori-chan, then I’ll do as you say,” said Miyu.
“That was a really touching poetry exchange! To see love bloom is so cute. And a pair of ducks is a very traditional metaphor for lovers, too. Well done!” Noa said.
“Oh, you’re back, Noa-chan,” Miyu said.
“Just in time, too, because I’ve also prepared an amazing poem filled with all that metaphor stuff,” said Kurumi, holding up a piece of paper and looking right at Esora.
“I want to spelunk
Into your cavern system
In search of your precious pearl,” Kurumi recited.
Esora was unimpressed. She was about to say something but thought better of it and started writing instead. When she was finished, she handed the poem to Kurumi.
“Sitting in my hut
I wait for the dew to dry
Before setting off for you,” Kurumi read.
“Ooh, too bad, Kurumi-chan. Looks like Esora-chan didn’t accept your feelings. You’ll have to try harder to win her over,” said Noa.
“Wait, what does this poem even mean?” Kurumi asked.
“Maybe if you’d paid more attention in your classical literature classes, you’d know. And you’d also know how to write better poems,” Esora snarked.
“So, in some old poems and literature, morning dew was a metaphor for –
Noa was cut off by a loud bang. When everyone turned to look, they saw Haruna on top of Weronika kissing her deeply.
When she noticed everyone staring, Haruna blushed.
“S-sorry, my emotions got the better of me,” Haruna said.
“That’s definitely okay, Haruna-chan! Today is all about bringing out our emotions though poems,” said Noa.
“Though it’s funny that for all you talk about good manners, you cause the biggest disturbance out of everyone,” Weronika teased.
“S-shush! You’re the one who provoked me,” Haruna said.
“Well, you seem to have figured out a way to get me to shut up. So if you want me to stop talking, you’re just going to have to do that again,” said Weronika.
Kurumi picked up one of the many papers scattered around the couple. It was filled with messily written poems.
“Your mad face is hot
Which is really good because
It’s the face you make the most
Beauty means nothing
In a beastly wolf like you
I’d rather a well-trained dog
You want to tame me?
Then get your ass over here
And do your best you coward,” Kurumi read.
“Those are pretty spicy, and not in the way that Kurumi’s poem was,” Nagisa said.
“It… seems to have worked for them, though, maybe?” said Miyu, looking at Haruna and Weronika who had returned to angrily kissing each other.
“Well, every couple is different. Sometimes, being direct about your feelings can work out really well. Other times, not so much,” Noa said, “But overall, I’d say today’s class has been an amazing success!”
“I agree,” Saki said, taking one of Noa’s hands.
“Miiko too!” Miiko said, cuddling with Nagisa, “It was really fun exchanging poems with you, Nagisa-chan.”
“I was also glad that Saori-chan and I were able to share our feelings with each other. Thank you for hosting this, Noa-chan,” Miyu said, gently hugging Saori.
“Why am I the only one who doesn’t get someone to kiss at the end of the lesson! Unfair! You should at least make-out with me out of anger like chairman and Weronika, Esora-chan,” Kurumi complained.
“Well, before next time, maybe you could try and learn from all these successful poets around you and figure out how to write something romantic,” Esora replied.
Kurumi’s struggles aside, Noa’s poetry class had gone better than Noa’s wildest expectations.