Sorry for the lack of updates on both this story and Shattered States of Fragile Minds. As I tried to wrestle my time between college, work, life and writing fan-fiction, I've come to realized that multi tasking is not for me- no matter what they say about how women are natural multitaskers. Right now, I have a one week breather from college and so I've taken the opportunity to finish up this story once and for all. So expect another 3 more chapters per week respectively. Cheers!
2
The moon was high on the starless horizon and Kagamino City was already abuzz with life. Lights, from the street lamps and billboards that hung on the walls of the buildings, lit every corner and alley. The thumping bass of blasted music could be felt and crowds of people filled the sidewalks where taxi drivers parked at the side of the building traffic jam, honking to signify that their services were available. In the centre of all the chaos was a movie theater where groups of people were stood waiting in line, chatter revolving around the movie they were planning to watch as they patiently wait for their turn at the ticket counter. A group of five, however, were a little louder than the rest as they talk animatedly, their voices an octave higher that it usually is.
"Anyway guys, I'm going to head home first. Enjoy your movie." Karin turned with a wave and started walking, causing all conversations to a halt.
"Wait." Hajime Fukase, a scrawny boy with dreadlocks called out; causing Karin to stopped and turned her head to look at him. "Don't you want to watch Fearless Deaths? It's this summer's biggest blockbuster."
Karin looked at the gigantic digital clock on the huge LCD screen that hung on one of the buildings. It read 7.53 pm. It's too late to call and excuse herself from dinner now as Yuzu would have finished cooking soon. It was bad that she was already late, it would already be approximately 8.30 pm by the time she reached home and Goat-chan wouldn't be happy. She would be subjected to face another round of his stupid antics again and quite frankly, she wasn't in the mood. Imagine if she watched a movie, making her another two hours late. Ughh. No, a movie will be out of the question today.
"I'll catch it another day. Just tell me how it is during Monday's training."
"Take care Kurosaki!" Another friend with dimples and wore head to toe Nike, Takao Abe called out while the rest of them shouted their goodbyes as well. Karin held her hand up and waved without looking back.
She arrived at the terminal just as the train pulled up and jogged inside, throwing herself at a random seat and let a loud exhale out as she closed her eyes with her head leaning on the window, her sling bag safely placed on the empty seat next to her, her hand resting on the lump of her soccer ball. She can't wait to get home and to bed, she was so exhausted. Luckily it was the beginning of the weekends, so she got to rest and play soccer with her school friends. She smiled at the thoughts of their faces when she shows off her newly acquired advanced skills at soccer. How jealous and awe they would be!
Someone shuffled in the seat next to her and she felt a chill ran through her skin; the person next to her was watching her, probably annoyed that she took more than her fair share of space. She thought she heard a grunt. Impulsively, her eyes flung open to reposition herself, only to be met with turquoise eyes staring back at her. She felt herself pulled deeper and deeper into his gaze but she forcibly turned her head away and sat up straight, the warm sensation ran all over her face, neck and ears, her chest rise and fall quicker than usual, her heart beating unnaturally fast.
She took a look at the opposite window and saw from the boy's reflection, her blood beginning to boil. His frown from the previous day had been replaced with a strange expression. His face was blank, but Karin could not mistake the glint in his eyes that betrayed his thoughts.
What is he so amused about? Haven't he seen a girl smile with her eyes closed before?
Driven to wipe that glint from his eyes, she turned to face him once more while giving him her best disinterested look, "What are you looking at?"
He never said anything as she became conscious of his eyes on her, studying her intently, the intensity of it all causing her to blush all over again. But she chose to ignore her flight reflexes because that would proclaim him victory in their little staring match, something she have no intention of letting it become a reality.
"What?"
Still, he gave no reaction but his expression changed to one of amusement, looking at her as if she suddenly sprouted wings. Frankly, her patience was wearing thin. With tightly pursed lips, she snapped. "Seriously what?"
He raised an eyebrow. "You think too highly of yourself." She shivered from the surprising deepness of his voice as she became conscious of his eyes on her, studying her intently. "I believe the one who should be asking is me, seeing how you came in and sit next to me."
Karin's mouth opened and closed; she can't say anything back to that because it was true, she was the last person to walk into the train after all. But she did not deliberately sat next to him!
"Ich. Why would I want to sit next to a short elementary student?"
His eye twitched.
Oh.
"Looks like the kid's a little touchy feelly about his height? Don't you worry; you will still have much growing up to do." Karin teased in a cooing voice, placing special emphasis on the word kid.
"I am not-"
Time for the jackpot.
She cut him off. "Just a tip, champ. Lay off the glue," She pointed at his anti-gravitational hair, "Those hair inches don't count as overall height."
"WHY YOU?" He paused mid-sentence, giving her a curious expression as he crossed his arms. Karin was surprised to see the hurt in his eyes, making her regret her nasty words immediately. The anger, though subdued, was still evident in his voice. "Why are you mad at me anyway? What did I ever do to you?"
She blinked at him, unable to answer his unexpected question. Beads of sweat began to form on her forehead despite the chilly air ventilation and she realized that their little conversation had been overheard by everyone else on the train who had given their full attention at their free show. The fact the boy was still waiting for her answer didn't help. God, she can't even look at him straight in the eye. "Be… because… caus-"
"Karakura Town" The mechanical-like voice boomed through the speaker.
Karin is no coward.
On most occasions, that is.
She couldn't walk out of the train fast enough.
Pele: Birth name is Edison Arantes do Nascimento is the all-time leading scorer of the Brazil national football team and was given the title "Athlete of the Century" by the International Olympic Committee and in 1999 Time Magazine named Pelé one of the 100 Most Important People of the 20th Century.
Nakata Hidetoshi: was one of the most famous Asian footballers of his generation and won the Asian Football Confederation's Player of the Year award in 1997 and 1998.
Fact I've forgotten to state: This story takes place during summer vacation. In Japan, summer vacation is about 40 days long (from about July 20th to August 31st). So that would be the entire duration of the story.
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