After a while from writing Yesterday Evening, I felt like writing another sad JakexChance story. Yup, it's gonna be sad again. This time you have been warned of the emotions later. So without further delay, I give you another plot from Kagerou. Toumei Answer, otherwise Transparent Answer.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything from the Kagerou Project and the SWAT Kats.
The cinnamon tom sighed as he stared out the window. The sunlight pouring in and filling the classroom and school courtyard. His gaze was only interrupted when a piece of paper was placed on his desk. Taking the test in his hand and staring at the red numbers in the corner, Jake's expression remained stoic and calm. His grade was a perfect score, the red 100 seeming to be bleeding out onto the paper. 'I don't get why they make these tests so easy...'
After hearing a warm chuckle to the side, the smart cinnamon tom looked over to find his best friend scratching the back of his head. A grin was stretching across his face.
"Whoops, flunked again." 'How can Chance be so happy about failing?'
Taking a peek at the tabby's paper, he shook his head at the low score. A red 23 was visible at the corner of the test.
"Chance... Why are you laughing?" Jake asked, resting his head on the palm of his paw. The tabby stared at his friend with a wide smile, taking his test and folding it countless times. Chance didn't answer until he finished, handing over his creation to his friend. Jake only stared in a bit of amazement, in his hands was an origami crane. The red marks of the score being visible on the wings.
"Even when something is bad, you just make something great out of it and smile." The tabby soon retrieved another paper from his backpack and began to make yet another.
"But why a crane?" Jake wasn't one of the arts, despite having his vast knowledge of generally anything. He was still puzzled on why, out of all the possible origami animals and objects, would he choose the bird.
"In Japan, giving someone a paper crane is a sign of life. As a reminder that you need to get one." Jake sighed and soon sat his chin on his desk, folding his arms to rest. Ever since the two had met, Chance had made it his goal to show Jake that life isn't as bad as he thought it was. The cinnamon tom was a major introvert with large potential thanks to his genius, but given his state of mentality and low interest in any sort of activity, Jake was just a large cruise ship with no fuel to go anywhere. "You need to stop being a cruel and callous fool and just live and enjoy life, not stay in a room and shutting yourself away from the world."
Another sigh escaped Jake's lips, he knew deep down that it was all true, but despite all that he still didn't see a way he would want to put in effort. He felt that the answers would be in a book or so, but all the textbooks seemed empty to him. Though Chance always scolded him stating that you don't live life through books.
"Chance, I'm sorry, I just don't like the world... It's just real life is confusing, stupid, maddening, and when it comes down to it, without any discernible meaning..." The smile faded from the tabby's face, his green eyes closing for a moment then opening back up. Finding that Jake had gotten up and left the classroom. It was his usual routine to leave class abruptly, the teachers never stopped him seeing as he knew more than the lesson plans that was taught.
Though they never stopped Chance to go after him to bring the tabby back, Hell, the staff rooted for Chance to lighten up the cinnamon tom's mood. If Jake had left for whatever reason, Chance was allowed to chase after him.
This leave was routine to them, and Jake would always leave to be at the same place. The roof of the school, where the cinnamon tom would always face the fencing, keeping students from falling down the five story rooftop, holding onto it and remaining motionless.
The wind began to pick up and Chance felt his scarf billow in the breeze. Wanting to break a routine, the tabby smiled as he unraveled the scarf from his neck and wrapped it around Jake's, the blue eyed kat taken back from the sudden action. His red muffler scarf now keeping Jake warm and safe from the cold.
The cinnamon tom turned to face the blond tiger tabby, the faintest smile adorning his face. Without any words being shared, Jake agreed silently and began to walk back with Chance to class.
A week had gone by and Jake looked off to his right to find the usual smile had not arrive yet. It was strange but not enough to cause worry for the tom. But minutes later, the tabby rushed in and took his usual seat by the window and smiled over to his friend, an apology quickly following. Though Jake shrugged this occurrence off, he was still a bit curious.
"Any reason why you were late today?" The tabby stretched his limbs before answering and began to straighten his clothing.
"My Mother died today, but it's nothing to worry about." Despite the intensity of the news, Chance shrugged it off like it was a mere traffic jam that caused him to be late. The cinnamon tom was even perplexed by his nonchalant attitude towards it.
"How can say it like that...?"
"Like what?" the tabby asked, adjusting his scarf to let his neck feel a bit less restricted.
"I mean, how can you just shrug off your mom's death like it was nothing? Don't you feel any bit of sadness from that?!" Jake slammed his fist onto his desk, even getting up and drawing the attention of everyone. "Why do you always have to smile that stupid grin in every situation, when will you grow up and learn that things are never going to be happy-go-lucky all of the time?!"
The blond tabby stared up at the cinnamon tom, smile faltering only a bit, yet his green eyes darkened and lost it's gleam. After realizing what he had just said and done, Jake hung his head in shame and soon slumped back down in his desk. "I'm sorry Chance..."
"It's fine, Jake, the reason I keep smiling is like I said before, I try to make the best out of a bad situation." Though his apology was accepted, Jake felt that he needed to make a bigger attempt. Taking his old perfect scored test, the cinnamon tom began to fold the paper, from the time before, Jake took an interest in the Origami Crane symbolism, even getting a few lessons from the tabby. After finishing up the slightly lopsided paper bird, Jake quickly placed it on Chance's desk. The tabby looking over at it and cradling it in his paws. His smile spreading further than it ever had before from the sight of the red 100 mark on the wing.
"I guess I finally made something out of my perfect test scores..." Jake blushed from the bit of irony and comfort his action gave him, especially the warm laughter from the tabby.
After classes were done and over with, the two began to walk out together, conversing with each other about anything.
"Hey Jake, wanna hang out later today?"
"Um... Ok, sure..." Though he had just agreed to it, Jake was still a bit unsure about it. He felt like he would mess up, he had already snapped today, he didn't want another.
"Great, call me at five and I'll pick you up." The tabby gave the cinnamon tom a quick hug and began to walk the opposite direction to his home. His red scarf standing out in the crowd but still disappearing without a moment's noticed.
When the tom kat made it back into his room, he scurried into his room and fell back into his bed. After taking a quick nap, he sat up against the wall. His phone laying right beside him. Taking a glance at the clock, he found that he had fallen asleep for a good three hours. He slept an hour later than intended, losing the chance to call the tabby. Though he figured that he could still call and apologize, but Jake hesitated when he reached for it. He felt that it was best that he didn't even bother Chance with another bullshit excuse.
Instead, the cinnamon tom hugged his knees and sighed. Sitting in silence for the rest of the day.
These chapters are going to be a bit short. But nonetheless are still going to be a story. I plan on two more chapters to this. Also, I was having a bit of trouble deciding which kat would fit what role. In the end, Jake is our Shintaro and Chance being Ayano... Oh cruel irony, I just love it. Anyways, hope you guys enjoy this story and don't cry too much.