On how Love works

Chapter 1

It so happens that some people are able to carry conversations rather effortlessly. It figures that some would be able to do that because they were very well versed with things around them, the topics that interested other people and so on. Or they would just agree with others, and egg the other person on. Or it could be that some people thrived on making observations on others, and gossip behind their backs, not ever realizing what the intentions of that person were. They had observed him/her acting in a certain fashion and that was enough for people to make judgments on how that person operated. Which was why, I, Fumio Daichi, figured it was best to not include myself in that last category. Not to mention the fact that I had probably been the subject/victim of the last category myself. Oh, what did one have to do to have an informed, decent conversation around here. That was also one of the reasons why I probably couldn't make friends.

It was a cold December morning when I ascended up the stairs of the Nishi-Chiba station and out into the cold winds that so characterized mornings in Chiba. With a wrapped scarf around my neck also covering my lower face, I reckoned I looked more a thief on the prowl than a student. Heading towards the gates of the university, I wondered if I should grab a quick bite before he headed for classes and became so engrossed with his studies, as I usually did, that he would probably miss lunch and not realize it. Seriously, that was becoming quite a frequent occurrence off late.

'Daichi-san' came a womanly voice, cutting through the frigid air like a bird's clarion call. I stiffened a bit. Not too many people named Daichi around here. Was someone calling me? I turned tentatively to the right to see a rather glamorous woman waving her hands, beckoning me towards her. Seriously, I thought, does this woman not feel the cold at all? How could she manage to wear just long sleeved clothes without a jacket or sweater and not feel the cold? Wait, why was she calling me? I turned around to the other side to make sure she wasn't actually calling someone named Daichi behind. Though that would be quite a coincidence wouldn't it.

I then briefly considered resuming my walk towards the university and playing dumb. She had spotted me however, and I couldn't really get out of the obligation of responding to a student of mine, it was bad manners to refuse acknowledgement of someone who had called out to you. I could also get something to eat while I'm at it, and kill two birds with one stone. Ha, if only Yukinoshita san were a bird...I would trap her and lock her in a bird cage and keep it away from people. The doubts she created in others minds, and the kind of influence she had on her peers and younger students tended to not be a pretty sight. She could easily fluster anyone; it was almost eerie how she did that.

With a small wave in response, I set off towards the harbinger of social interaction and small talk.

'Daichi-san, I'm really glad I could catch up to you. Let's grab some breakfast.'

'You read my mind' I muttered in response.

'Ooh, isn't someone feeling a little lazy today' she said.

Tch, this woman and her posturing. She would always try to incite and provoke him into a response.

'It is pretty cold, you know.' I replied.

'Well, you do need some vigor to teach a class, you know. Wouldn't want you slacking off your teaching duties. If someone complains about your tardiness, you would no longer be a TA [1], and I wouldn't want that. I would really miss you.' she said in a flowery voice.

'Huh, you are downright pessimistic today about my classes and the way I teach. Is it really that bad, my style of teaching?' I asked rather offhandedly. She was at it again, this one. She would twist words so that a guy could take it in the wrong sense, and before you know it, he had already fallen for her. But I knew better than to let it get to me.

'Didn't I say I don't want you to go? Why would I want you to go? You are one of the best teachers around and one of my favorites.' There she was at it again.

'Well, I'm only around for a couple of more months anyway.' I sighed, opening the door to the cafe and stepping to one side to let her through first. Most people these days considered acts of chivalry to be a form of hitting on someone. Yukinoshita would probably tease me for it, but my gentlemanly demeanor was mine to keep regardless of someone else's opinion about it.

As expected, she entered and turned around with a smirk on her face. 'Ara, Ara, Am I really that appealing to you Daichi-san? Not a bad way to grab a lady's attention.' People these days were not only superficial, but also predictable. Although, knowing Yukinoshita, she was teasing me yet again, engaging in socializing and cozening her way into people's trust. Very sinister, that. It wasn't just the fact that young men usually were very vulnerable around women, it was also the fact that women like Yukinoshita were fully aware of the results their actions had on men, and could very easily manipulate their way into someone's trusts. I had to be careful around this one, as I always had been since I had first met her. Well, I hoped I had. Since I was eating with her in a café already, I couldn't be so sure anymore. I never actually allowed anyone to eat with me. That she had managed to manipulate me into doing so already was not a good sign at all. I looked for avenues for retreat but her eyes really pinned me down. She was staring at me quite openly now. It's rude to stare at people like that, Yukinoshita-san.

I decided to not respond at all, motioning her into the cafe with my eyes, and taking a seat at the far end of the cafe with the wall to my back. I saw Yukinoshita approach my side of the table and she sat on the chair besides me rather than the one in front. Aha, new tactics. The old ones weren't working so she had resorted to physically intimidate me by sitting close. It was important to not show that I was ruffled by this behavior, so I simply ignored the warmth coming from her, and looked at the menu.

'A plain croissant, and coffee, milk and extra sugar please.' I said politely to the waitress, who had come over. 'Apple juice' Yukinoshita said offhandedly, turning towards me with upturned eyes.

'Seriously, Daichi-san, when a lady makes an effort at conversation, you should be a little responsive' she pouted. But I was a veteran at killing conversations and making light moods rather darker. Heck, I did that even if I didn't make the effort. Fumio the conversation killer, that was me.

'Seriously, Yukinoshita-san' I mimicked her. 'Why not talk about something relevant, rather than engage in meaningless pleasantries'.

'Serious conversation? About what? Life? Love?' she leaned in a bit closer.

Rolling my eyes, I replied 'Why don't we start with your studies, lady?'

'But I'm the class topper' she objected.

'Not anymore, you aren't' I shot back.

She frowned in response. 'Well, give me some credit. I have been at the top of the class for some time now. I'll regain my place eventually.'

'It's almost as if there is something on Yukinoshita-san's mind that has been distracting her from her studies. So, would you care to talk about it?' I asked feigning interest. Time to ruffle a few feathers.

The response was palpable if not immediate. She was sometimes easy to play, I mean manipulate, I mean talk to. Jeez, I am no master manipulator, looking seven or eight steps into the conversation, gauging responses, and predicting what their questions would be ahead of time[2].

She leaned in closer, trying to distract me. 'Let's talk about your love life instead, shall we?'

'I'm a loner.' I responded immediately. 'Always was, always will be. Now let's move on to what's bothering you.' Her pout intensified, if that was the right word for it.

'What do you mean? There are no distractions. I'm fine. Everything's well and good.' She responded.

'See that's what I mean when I say you converse meaninglessly.' I said. 'Why not spend more effort being a little more genuine than fake a flowery demeanor.' Why wouldn't people talk about things that mattered? I get the trust issues part, but if it was so difficult to talk about what was bothering you, you really should be talking about something still relevant, like world peace, or why electrons also behave like waves, or the life of Archimedes, or who let the dog out? Nevertheless, it would seem that something rocked her then and there with that sentence, the reaction was quite visible. I was intrigued by what I had hit on, and wondered what part of what I had just said had caught her attention.

'Allright,' she said, her face darkening, 'You want to talk about serious things, let's do that. I warn you though. I am usually the kind of person who expects an exchange of information. If I am honest about something, I expect you to fully reciprocate the trust I place in you and talk about yourself as well.'

'I wouldn't have it any other way.' I replied rather coolly.

Yukinoshita paused, allowing the waitress to set down their plates and leave.

'Very well, then, Fumio Daichi-san.' She started. 'Since we are on a serious topic, what do you think of love?'

Oh dear, this was going to be one long conversation.

Notes and References:

[1], In a university, a TA is a Teaching Assistant, who teaches a generally easier course as a part of his studies as a graduate student.

[2], reference to Sherlock the TV show, where Sherlock predicts the lawyer's and court people's questions far in advance.

A/N: Hello all. Welcome to my very first fan fiction story. I am sorry you find it a bit boring, all that stuff, etc, etc. With the apology out of the way, I would like this piece of writing to be seen as something along the lines of slice of life. There is a new character as you have all read. Most conversations will be centered around Yukinoshita Haruno, a character I find fascinating, and I will introduce some other mature characters as well. Think of this series as a running commentary on daily life as seen by its characters, especially as seen by Haruno. I would the story to progress in the form of arcs on several issues that Haruno faces. There isn't going to be much action, and most probably no romance either, so you have been warned. Please enjoy…