Lucky Summer
Chapter 1: Invitation
A surprisingly cool summer greeted Kagami outside her house. She relaxed her body and allowed her spirit to be free and embrace the wind that massaged her.
Suddenly she sensed another presence and slowly opened her eyes to see a petite blue blur standing before her. Kagami's vision instantly sharpened and the blur formed into Konata, her otaku companion.
As usual Konata had her typical expression of sleepy serenity with closed eyes and a cat-like smile. In such a calm ambience her smile gave Kagami one of her own.
"What's up?" Kagami gently asked.
Konata walked up closer and sat down on the porch next to her friend, laying back as she stretched out her legs. Kagami tried her best to hide her peeking eyes and not blatantly watch her friend stretch.
"I came to hang out." Konata simply put, her unchanging expression remaining on her face.
Kagami nodded and walked into the house, bringing back two glasses of lemonade, one to which she handed to Konata as she sat down next to her.
"Thanks."
With a nod in response, Kagami enjoyed the scene as the breeze came again. The warm feeling in her chest told her this was perfect. To disturb her thoughts were a few strands of Konata's blue hair that gently brushed along Kagami's arm.
She allowed it.
A slight blush tickled her cheeks, she needed to hide it.
"Hey, Konata……….want to play a game or something?"
Konata agreed and the two walked into the house, grabbing their controllers as they played a fighting game. As usual, Konata put up a tough battle and as usual she won.
Kagami could not help but peek over at Konata as they played. She was so relaxed yet so focused. Kagami always had trouble defining Konata and this was a perfect example.
The day continued with trivial conversations, uncanny observations, and simply relaxing on a nice summer day. The two eventually decided to head into Kagami's room.
Konata relaxed on the bed, Kagami against the bed and mangas in their hands. The theme of Strawberry Panic flowed from the headphones and into Kagami's ears. Her mind couldn't help but focus on the romantic relationship the female characters had with each other.
Kagami continuously thought about it and had secretly become a fan of the anime, usually watching it when she was alone. She even preferred the Nagisa xTamao couple over the typical choice made by the anime.
Konata's eyes peered over to Kagami.
"Is everything alright?" Konata asked.
Kagami jumped in shock, her mind no longer occupied by her previous thoughts.
"What?!" Kagamis fussed.
Konata moved back a little, now worried that she made Kagami upset. Maybe she was thinking of something personal.
"I was just wondering if you were okay……..your book is still on page one." Konata's voice weakly explained.
Hearing the tone of defeat in Konata, Kagami realized her mistake.
"Sorry…….I was just thinking." Kagami said, waiting for a smart remark from Konata.
"Isn't ironic how thinking so much actually makes you less attentive?" and there it was. Kagami grinned, she usually enjoyed the observations that didn't include her and the more Konata talked, the more excited she felt, the more interesting everything seemed to be.
The awkward silence afterwards had made Konata even more anxious than before. Konata didn't visit just to hang out, she had to ask Kagami an essential question.
She became hesistant, coming close to asking her but always retreating within herself. Her fingers began to twirl around within the blanket she lied on, she wasn't sure what Kagami's response would be.
Konata rolled over and lied on her back, pretending to keep busy by flipping through random pages until she finally decided to go for it.
"Kagami…………." She quietly asked.
Kagami turned around and looked at her friend who didn't stare back. "What is it?"
"There's an anime convention in Tokyo and my Dad and I are going……………………
I thought that maybe……………….you'd like to come too." Konata shyly asked.
Kagami slowly returned her gaze back to her manga, resisting the urge to jump out and yell "YES!!!" She didn't want to seem lonely or desperate for entertainment or time to spend with Konata. Konata's anticipation grew with every silent second, now staring at the back of Kagami's head.
"I might be busy………………why don't you ask Tsuakasa or Miyuki" Kagami causally stated.
And with that Konata's confidence had died, now rolling over, her back at Kagami.
"But I wanted to go with you." Konata quietly murmured.
Kagami feigned a sigh and placed her book down. "I guess I could go…………I'll have to rearranged my schedule though."
"Who cares?! You're coming!!" Konata happily yelped as she wrapped her arms around her, her heart beat jumping faster than she was.
"It's funny that you care so little that others have to alter their lives for you." Kagami complained.
But Kagami would have done it any day.
