Chapter 1: Just another trip to the mall!
"Damn it, she better not be late this time!"
I made a sighing noise as I got off the train at the shopping district. Seriously if she's not there on time I'm just going to go home...and when she gets there and sees I'm not there maybe then she'll understand how I feel when she's just standing there confused and looking around. I mean, really...she calls me up suddenly and says get down to the mall...like it was some kind of emergency...so she better be there.
As I left the train station I started to think about why she called me and wanted to come down to the mall...and alone no less. Best guess...something anime related she wants to buy using my points. Second likely choice...wants me to try on something and cosplay. Another possibility...she wants to spend some quality time with me alone as best friends...doubt it. I mean...I'd actually like something like that...perverted and annoying that she is I'm not completely against the idea...but that's not the reason she called me down...and if it is...then that's not the real Konata...
But still, she said for me to come alone without Tsukasa. That's a rare occurrence...usually she says to bring Tsukasa along...or she comes along because she has nothing to do...but no she specifically asked me to come by myself...I don't know if I should be happy or scared...I'll be cautiously optimistic and hope it's something not so completely stupid...still I know from experience that it probably is something completely stupid.
When I arrived at the mall and went in...I noticed there was more people than usual...something was probably going on. Oh no she called me here for that didn't she? Well...no...I don't see an abnormal abundant of Otaku...so maybe it's nothing like that...hopefully. Still it was rather crowded and getting to where Konata said to met up proved more troublesome then I ever would've predicated. What the hell are all these people doing here? Is there' a fifty percent sale here or something? Oh whatever...I'm sure Konata will inform when I meet with her...
When I arrived at the designated spot I had to correct myself. I'm sorry, not meet with her...when she meets with me...of course how foolish was I to expect her to actually be here when I showed up. I got out my cell phone and looked at the time...it was ten minutes until ten thirty...so maybe I was a little early...but still it would be nice for her to actually be here before I get here...because waiting for someone to show up is always a pain...I'd like for her to actually wait on me instead of me waiting on her...
Some time passed by and of course no sight of Konata. I checked my cell phone again and it was now exactly ten thirty...well...it is kind of unreasonable to expect someone to be here exactly on time...I'll give her a few minutes. After some more time I checked my cell phone again and it was now ten forty five...well...it is pretty crowed in the mall today...and if I had trouble I know she would have trouble due to her small size...in which case I'll give her a few more minutes...and if she is getting caught up by something I hope she's ok...
The next time I checked my cell phone is was past eleven. Well maybe...oh what am I saying I'm being too lenient on that little brat again! Damn it! Fine whatever...if she won't be here on the time she set that's ok with me...I'll just go home and she can do whatever on her own. I took a deep sigh of disappointment...well...disappointment in the sense that I have to go through the crowd again. Then I turned around and started to leave...
"Wait Wait! Kagami I'm here! Don't go!" I heard someone shout with an instantly recognizable tone...oh now she gets here...right when I'm about to leave...of course...
"It's about time Konata..." I said angrily as I turned around to yell at her, "Do you have any idea how long I was waiting..." I continued before I abruptly stopped upon seeing Konata run up wearing...it was...well...it looked like a coach's uniform...the cap, the whistle, the blazer and the sneakers...what...the...hell...
"Yeah yeah...I know...I'm sorry Kagami...I'll explain it later..." She apologized in a typical Konata fashion as she ran up to me...her blue hair and her whistle bouncing as she was running...
"Konata...what's with the...umm...outfit..." I asked curiously as she stopped in front of me...looking at her like she just stole my homework for the millionth time...which made her gasp in realization...as if she forget she was wearing it before looking up at me and smiling her typical cat smile...
"Well because they didn't have a Master or sensei outfit that was in my size..." She answered as she held up a finger...and now that I looked over her outfit more thoroughly...it didn't seem this one fit her probably either as it looked baggy and too big on her...which only made me look at her more disturbed now that I noticed it, "
You know...The East is Burning Red!" She then shouted as serious as she could as she made a ridiculous pose with her arms...which honestly made me want to burst out laughing...but thankfully I didn't as I knew we were in the middle of a packed mall...
"Hey what do you think you're doing!? Don't do something that stupid in a place like this!" I whispered while also trying to sound angry as I grabbed her shoulders and tried to move us both behind some decorative bushes and out of sight...
"Awww...worried about me being late, caring about what I do, and moving me to a more private...I didn't know you cared about me that much Kagamin!" She said in a teasing tone as she moved her hand in front of her mouth as if trying to badly conceal her smirking face...
"Sh-Shut up! Don't joke about things like that!" I replied defensively as I felt my cheeks heat up in embarrassment...and especially don't joke stuff like that when lately I've been feeling...w...weird around you...not in the typical sense...but...s-something more...like there would be no place else I would be instead of right here by you...I...I...shouldn't be feeling that way at all about someone like her...but...it's true...of course I'm not going to tell her...she's the last person I would tell...
"And answer my question damn it...why are you wearing something that stupid..." I asked again wanting to get back on topic as quickly as I could...and away from...th...that topic...
"Oh that's right...I almost forgot..." She said as she balled up a fist and hit it in the palm of her other hand...way to realize something Konata...
"We have to hurry or else we'll be late!" She then said excitedly as she grabbed my hand and started to run, dragging me along...wait what? Now she's worried about being late?
"Huh...Late for what?" I asked confused as I let myself be dragged along...not really caring as I was enjoying the feeling I was getting from her hand holding mine...
"You'll see! If we don't hurry we'll miss our chance!" She answered as she continued to drag me through the crowd of people...great now she's in a hurry to be in time for something...of course...
"You should've thought of that earlier then! Maybe this will teach you not to be late and actually be on time for once!" I pointed out dryly as I hoped this would finally get it through her head to finally be punctual for the first time in her life...
"Hey it's not my fault! Registration took longer than I thought it would!" She replied defensively as she continued to weave through the seemingly endless amount of people...Registration...Registration for what?
"What did you sign up for now!?" I angrily asked hoping she only signed herself up and not me...if she did sign me up for whatever without my permission I swear I'm reporting her as a lost child and have her held here until her dad comes and picks her up...
"What? No I didn't sign up for anything" Well that's a thankful- "I signed you up course!" She said looking back at me with an over excited face with her cat smile reaching both ends of her face...Are...you...freaking...serious...
"Are you kidding me!? What did you sign me up for!?" I asked in a furious shout that probably caught everyone's attention within a fifty kilometer radius, "It better not be some stupid otaku cosplay thing or else I'm going make you do your homework by yourself for the rest of high school!" I then threatened as I started to imagine all the horrific fetish related outfits Konata will undoubtedly try to make me wear...
"No, not this time at least...it's something else...trust me!" Konata answered looking forward again to see where she was going...this time? You've tried before or are going to try again later!?
"Well then what could it possibly-"
"Ta-Da!" She shouted cutting me off as we finally broke through and pointed to a sign that hung gracefully from the ceiling and over a large stage filled with lights, curtains, and other things...
"12 Annual Amateur Beauty Contest..." I read out load calmly...before the meaning of it finally sunk in which caused me to turn bright red and look at it shocked...
"No! No! And furthermore...No!" I practically shouted as I turned around ready to run for my life before I felt a pair of arms wrap around my waist...holding me back and preventing me from leaving...
"Oh come on Kagami! Please! You can win this thing! I know you can!" She pleaded making loud fake sob noises as she held me back...what is with her!?
"Why would you even sign me up for something like this!?" I shouted back also wondering why she did this...it's not every day she signs up for stuff like this obviously...so I wonder why she suddenly had the-
"Because of that!" She answered determined as she moved me around and pointed to what looked like the grand prize display...which showed what looked like a whole bunch of Manga...Excuse me!?
"Are you serious Konata!? Some stupid manga you can buy at a store!?" I shouted even more outraged than ever...of course...now it all makes sense...she signed me up to try and win something anime related!
"Not this! This is a limited edition all color set of all the volumes each personally signed by the author and artist along with a cool figure of the main character with an exclusive outfit that will be coming in the next volume..." She explained as she looked it over...almost drooling at the sight of it...I don't care if the paper was solid gold! It's still not worth it!
"Couldn't you just buy that stuff later and get the people to sign it...wouldn't that just be the same..." I asked dryly as I looked at her...trying to convince her of another option...
"No of course not! It wouldn't be the same...like I said before you can't buy that feeling you get when you win something!" She replied dismissing my alternative without a second thought as is typical of her...geez that figures...it can never be easy when it comes to her can it?
"Then you go sign up and try to win it...leave me out of it!" I shouted in return as I turned back around to try and leave again...once again having a pair of arms wrap around my waist preventing me from leaving...
"I can't...there's no way I could win!" Konata said, again making that fake cry...which made me want to leave even more...
"Then that's your problem not mine! You know how self conscious I am about my weight! What makes you think I would even think about entering something like this!?" I forcefully said as I tried to break free from her grip and escape this nightmare...geez when this girl latches on you she really latches on you and won't let go...
"But Kagami...I need you...you're a very beautiful and talented girl...you have much better chances then me!" She then said not with fake sobs but what sounded like a sincere plea for help...and...what she said...made me blush as I stopped struggling and turn my head to look at her...which made relax, take a deep breath, let go, and then take a step back.
"Kagami...I'm not very pretty..." She said calmly and seriously as she looked at me with her green eyes shaking slightly...did...did she really just say that!?
"No! You are...you're very cute...a little perverted and weird...but undeniably cute and adorable..." I said determined as I turned around to full face her...complimenting her...before covering my mouth at what I said and looking away with the blush on my face deepening...
"Kagami...if had darker hair and dark spots under my eyes I'd probably like Watamote..." She said seriously as she continued looking at me...dismissing my compliment and shrugging it aside...wait she just referenced an anime...but...
"Isn't the character's name Tomoko?" I pointed out as I held up a finger...I'm actually correcting Konata on an anime subject...I don't feel happy or victorious...but more or less disturbed...
"Oh ho...good one Kagami...you actually watch the show...I'm very pleased..." She replied clapping her hands as if she was testing me and I passed...great...now I really feel disturbed...
"I...I've just seen a few episodes...it's not like I watch it or anything..." I said trying to defend myself...trying to keep us both separate...her on the otaku side...me on the reality side...
"But you still know the character...and you should know that we're both very similar...and therefore you should know that I'm...just not that attractive..." She said again looking slightly down as if upset but this...
"Y...You are...trust me...you look nothing like her...you have your own brand of cuteness...there are just certain people out there who appreciate your quality of cuteness more than others" I pointed out trying to encourage her...now I really feel awkward...I'm reminding her of freaks and weird people who like girls that look young...
"Yeah it's true I'm a catch for the people with special interests...however they are a small group and are certainly not going to be judges or audience members here..." She pointed out as she held a finger...yeah well she has a point...and I wish she didn't say 'Special Interests'...that just makes things really weird...
"You however...are perfect...got a nice womanly figure...a nice bust for your age...and have a Tsundere personality complete with the pigtails which is always a turn on...you're perfect for this contest!" Konata almost shouted as she looked over my body from head to toe...which made me cover up my chest as it felt like her eyes were just piercing my clothes...
"S-Shut up! Do you want to get slapped now or later! And I'm not a Tsundere and... and besides...there's no way I could win this contest!" I shouted back as I turned around so I couldn't face her as the blush now encompassed my entire face...probably entire body actually...did she really have to say all those things...I...I mean...I'm overjoy...happy...umm...grateful for the compliments...but...she really doesn't have to shout them in the middle of a mall!
"Don't worry...it's an amateur competition...that means you can probably just win with looks alone...all you need to do is just show over your body a little bit and bam...instant victory!" Konata said calmly in return as she waved both her hands as if trying to calm me down...Amateur or not I still probably won't win and...hey!
"Don't talk about my body as if it's your personal play thing and..." I turned around and began to shout back...then I forcefully shut my mouth with my hand as I realized that what I was saying...was not really the right thing to say in front of her...
"And with me coaching you as your manager there's no way you can lose...I mean I practically know all the tricks and tips thanks to all the manga I've read...so winning is guarantee!" Konata responded, thankfully not noticing, not caring, or disregarding my weird outburst...and what? Manager!? Did she list herself as my manager!? Oh Konata you are so dead!
"So what do you say Kagami...Let's go find our Number One!" She cheered, singing at the end as she pointed at the stage determined...yeah...ummm...
"No..." I darkly said as I turned around to once again try to leave...and...once again...felt a pair of arms wrap around my waist...geez persistent isn't she? If only she was this passionate when it came other less stupid things...
"Ah why not Kagami!?" She cried...once again faking it as she kept me from leaving...what do I need to do? Wear a big neon sign above my head that says 'No way had you crazed otaku'?
"Because I have no interest in this, I won't win, and I have other things to do..." I pointed out as I tried to unwrap her arms around me and leave...geez she won't go! This girl really won't give in will she?
"No you don't...if you did you wouldn't have come in the first place..." She said in retaliation...and making a point as I did have nothing to do for the rest of the day, "Besides...you're already registered...might as well try you know?" She finished urging me on...not working the slightest though...
"You signed me up! Without my consent no less!" I reminded her furiously as I was really getting agitated now...I just want to go...leave me along Konata...you've failed and it's time to give up!
"I'm sorry I'm sorry ok...Just do this one thing for me please!" She continued pleading not showing a sign of hindrance in her determination...damn this girl!
"No! Now let go already!" I shouted now really pissed off! I'm about to ready just to pick this girl up and carry her out of her...at least then I won't be near the freaking stage!
"Ok ok ok! what if...I made a deal with you!" She said now trying to bargain with me...oh we've reached that stage of pleading huh?
"What kind of deal could you possible offer!?" I yelled back at her...not really caring what she could give me as I don't really want anything...so her plan has instantly failed...
"Umm...how about I give you half the rewards after you win..." Konata said offering half of the prize I would win if I did go through with it and win...
"You know if I did win I would get all that stuff and I wouldn't give any to you...besides I don't want that crap anyways!" I pointed out before denying her request...still trying to find a way to get away from her...
"Ok umm...how about I let you in my circle of online friends and introduce you to them so we can go on raids together!" She then offered seeming desperate...I don't play those games and I don't want to meet those weird friends of hers...That sounds more like a threat than anything else!
"Don't you freaking dare!" I said threatening her back as I now try as hard as I could to try and break free...and making progress finally as I was about to get her arms off of me..
"Alright fine! I give...I'll do my homework on my own and not copy from yours ok!" She then offered...willing to do something she hated so much...which...actually sounded kind of enticing...as I stopped resisting and turned my head around to look at her...
"You'll do what?" I asked almost in disbelief as the thought of her actually doing her homework for once without copying does sound really nice...
"I'll...I won't bother you this week for homework...no help, no notes, no copying...anything...I'll do it all on my own...ok...deal?" She said softly and reluctantly as she explained the offer in full detail...which made me grin...but...it still wasn't enough...but maybe...
"Two weeks..." I counter offered seriously as I looked at her with my grin...which was now more of an evil grin than anything as I felt I had her wrapped around my finger...and it felt really good..
"What are you kidding me!? That's Brutal!" She immediately responded stunned and offended that I would even say something like that...she's just mad because she knows that I got her...
"Hey you did sign me up with my permission...so this is your punishment...and hey if you don't want those items that's fine by me..." I teasingly said as I closed my eyes and shrugged nonchalantly...taunting her basically because she knew she had no choice but to accept...
"Ahhh! Alright...two weeks!" She said giving in after an aggravated moan...which was like music to my ears...
"Good...I guess I'll do this stupid beauty contest for you then..." I said reluctantly agreeing myself as I still didn't want to do this...but if it's to get her to do her homework by herself...then it's worth it...
"Good now let's go...we have a competition to win!" Konata then said excitedly as it appears her passion returned as she grabbed my hand and started to head to the stage...
"I still don't expect to win..." I pointed out honestly...feeling a sweatdrop appear on my forehead as I let myself be dragged by Konata...even if it was a Amateur Pageant...there was still going to be much prettier girls then my...my chances are slim at best...
"Like I said...with me as your coach and manager...our victory is assured!" Konata said with confidence as she smiled her usual cat smile...there she goes again...not thinking things through and only thinking about how everything's going to go her way...typical Konata...
"Whatever..." I simply said after making a slight sigh of exasperation...she can think what she wants I guess...I'm still not going to win...
"Oh and Kagamin...throughout the course of this competition...can you call me Coach-sama?" She asked as she looked at me...she wants me call her what!? Is she trying to play the role of some wise mentor in a manga or something!? Well think again Konata!
"Absolutely not!" I replied angrily as I looked away from her...it's bad enough that I agreed to this thing...but there's no way I'm calling her that!
"Alright...can you at least call me Master?" She then asked brightly as she looked up at me with hopeful eyes...and with a pervy grin...which made me give a resounding,
"Hell No!"
Alright that is the first chapter and I'll will be trying to post a chapter every day or two so I hope you enjoy the story. R&R.