Chapter 2

Me, Orimoto Izumi, signing into in my head again. Its morning and I'm sitting in the library by myself. Two weeks ago, I was sitting at this table with Sayoko and Mai. Now they're avoiding me because they're such cowards. Sigh. My friends as usual always cast me aside or forget me. Or they are afraid to be seen with me because of what everyone else thinks. That happened to me at camp one time. Maybe I could make Mai some pasta. Her favorite pastime is trying new foods. I don't get why though. Sayoko— I couldn't really give her anything unless if I knew how to play golf. She's really competitive about it and throws fits when she gets a lousy score. I want to talk to the guys but it doesn't look they're here yet. Everyone's looking all around me as if I did something wrong. I hope Takuya, Kouji, and Junpei get here soon. Kouichi goes to another school and Tomoki is in the lower division. I'm worried. When will they get here? I might as well think some more to figure how to get out of this mess. Where was I last night? Oh yeah…

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I walked to class with Sayoko and Mai. Mai nearly ran into a tree trying to read the science book and walk at the same time. We made it into class and were handed our papers.

"Start," my teacher says.

I look at the paper. It is the exact same thing Hayaki told me. I look over at Mai and Sayoko, who are across the room from me. They look completely blank. I write the answers down guiltily and turn my paper over to show that I'm finished. Mai, who is the closest, eyes me to give her some answers. Obviously I can't talk so I just stare at her. I am dying to help her and Sayoko but it would be wrong to help my friends cheat. I hang my head with shame as my teacher takes my paper. After a lecture, the bell rings. Mai and Sayoko catch up to me.

"Guys, I'm really sorry I couldn't help you," I breathe out.

"Well you couldn't anyway. You're too far away. The teacher would have heard you whisper," Sayoko said comfortingly.

"You had the upper hand, Izumi. She had that Hayaki person tell her ahead of time," Mai said, disappointed knowing she was going to get a bad score.

"I didn't ask him to tell me," I muttered, looking down at the ground as we walked to lunch line.

"It's just a stroke of luck Izumi had. It's not like she cheated."

"Yes, but she knew what the quiz was about in the first place! She probably didn't even know the rest of the chapter!"

"Sayoko, it's just a small quiz. Tests are way more important."

"I can't fail, especially in school! Izumi, this isn't fair!"

And with that, Mai ran off. I watched her stomp off.

"She's just mad that she failed her quiz. She overreacted. You know how competitive she gets."

"Yeah, thanks Sayoko," I said. Sayoko and I didn't have the same classes next, so I went to Mathematics. And of all people, I run into Oda Hayaki in the halls. I wish he'd go away. He's so irritating and causes me trouble.

"Hey Izumi."

"I'd like to thank you for helping me with that small quiz. Now good bye," as I slid the door open for my class.

"Wait!"

"What? I have to go sit at my desk."

"I have something you might want."

"Like what?"

Hayaki pulled something out of his pocket that I've been looking for. It was my hairclip! It glowed in the light. I retrieved it quickly and put it on my hair.

"Thank you! Where did you find it?"

"It was on the ground. I saw you drop it."

I smiled awkwardly and walked into class. Some of the girls around me were looking at me strangely.

"Izumi, I didn't know you were familiar with Hayaki!"

"What?"

I blinked nervously and opened my book. What are these girls talking about? I looked at Takuya, who just entered the class. He sat next to me.

"Izumi's got a boyfriend!" Takuya whispered to me as sniggers and takes out books.

"I do not!" I snapped. I listened in class and took notes. Was there a new rumor about me? Bleh, I didn't care. There were always some about me. I don't know how to speak the native language properly, or I don't know how to use chopsticks properly. Or that I'm an arrogant prissy butt because they assume I think I'm better than everyone for coming from a foreign country. I wasn't even born there for goodness sake. I was born here, in Japan. I went to lunch with Sayoko. Apparently Mai was still mad I had an "advantage" in science today and was out in the gym playing some sport with other girls. Sayoko and I sat on the benches. We ate home-made lunches and talked.

"So, what is the business with that Oda Hayaki?" she asks.

"Well, I don't know. I met him in my dad's office and he told me about the science quiz. I didn't believe him at first. Then he gives back my hair clip, and you know how much I'm attached to it. I'm thinking about how he got it in the first place."

We finished lunch and went to the last two classes, History and Gym. I finished them with Sayoko and Mai; Mai who wouldn't speak to me. She sure does get mad at me for silly things. I hope she gets over it. As I walk home with books in hand, Oda Hayaki comes up to me again.

"Hello Izumi!"

"Um, thank you for returning my hair clip but I'd like you to refer to me formally because I don't even know you that much except for the fact that you like to play practical jokes on your dad."

"Oh, c'mon Izumi. I was just bored. I'll take you to eat some noodles, my treat!"

"Uh, I just had some yesterday, thanks," I said, trying to leave as I saw Takuya and Kouji in the distance.

"Hey where are you going?"

"Why do you want me to be with you so much?"

"Because I like you."

"What!"

"It's true."

"Um, I'm sorry, but I don't know you. Good bye."

"Well you could give me a chance you know."

"Oh, well I don't know about that."

"Please Izumi!" Hayaki suddenly grabbed my hand.

I retrieved my hand and ran off to join Junpei, who was walking nearby.

"Thank goodness you're here," I muttered to Junpei as I hid behind him and walked away to Kouji, Takuya, and Tomoki.

"Who's that guy you're with?" Kouji asked me.

"Some seventh grader. He keeps following me around."

"Why?"

"I don't know. I guess he likes me just for finding a hair clip on the ground."

"That's a weird reason."

"Yeah, I know."

"Why don't you go and tell him you don't like him?"

"I did."

"And he still insists? Well, I don't know. Persistent people can get a little freaky."

"Yeah, Izumi. He is right there staring at us," Junpei pointed out.

I peered behind Junpei's shoulder. I bared my teeth together and gave a little mouse squeak. "EEE… what am I to do?" I whispered to the group.

"Easy, ignore him. Duh," Takuya said, balancing a ball on top of his head.

I walked quietly with lunch bag in hand while the three boys made a barrier around me. After three blocks, Oda Hayaki was gone.

"Is he gone?" I asked.

"Yeah, he is," Kouji whispered back to me, looking around the corner. We all relaxed and headed towards the vending machines. Takuya put in coins and got six cans of juice while waiting for Kouichi to come from his school and meet up.

"Hey you guys, I'll be back in a few minutes," Kouji said to us with a suspicious frown.

"Well, get back soon. Your brother might come by then," Junpei said.

"Yeah, don't worry. I'll be fine," Kouji said, walking off and turning to the right. I wondered where he went. After five minutes, Kouichi showed up at the bus stop. Kouji was not back yet.

"Hey guys… where's Kouji?" Kouichi asked.

"Well, he said he'd be back," Tomoki pointed out while playing rock-paper-scissors with Takuya to pass the time while waiting. Junpei started to talk with Kouichi about sports. Obviously I wasn't interested so I was beginning to worry. Just exactly where did Kouji go? I hope he didn't get hurt. He seemed all of a sudden bothered. One moment he was fine and then he's all threatened-looking. The group and I waited by the tree for quite awhile. After that we walked together and looked for Kouji, and then he shows up in our face.

"Hey, where did you go? We were waiting for you for a long time! Geez you waste time on purpose!" Takuya argued.

"Oh shut up. I had some business," Kouji muttered with his hands in his pocket. They stopped fighting and we all went to the park to hang out. We had fun as Tomoki and I played on the monkey bars, Takuya and Junpei were playing soccer. Would Takuya ever get sick of that game? He's a boy, of course not. For some reason, Kouji was brooding in the corner of the sand pit. We all went home for the day and I walked home. Just before I opened the gate to my house, Oda Hayaki appeared yet again.

"Ahh! Are you following me home?" I asked him, exasperated.

"No. I just want to get to know you. Is this your house?" he asked.

"Uh… no… it's my… aunt's house!"

"Well I can walk you home if you want so you don't have to be bored at your aunt's house."

"Oh, no thanks Hayaki, I have a lot of homework, and I'm pretty sure you do too."

"I promise I won't do anything. I just want to get to know you," he said, as he grabbed my wrist and dragged agitatedly to a bakery. I did not for some reason come out and smack him for taking me somewhere I didn't want to be. I thought maybe if I was nice and put a bad impression, he'd leave me be.

"You like sweets?" he asked as he went up to the cashier to order something, which was probably most likely for me.

"Um, no I like vegetables," I lied. Actually I did like sweets like everyone else, but I liked pasta more.

"Okay then, I'll order you a veggie bun," he said as he paid the cashier. He motioned me to sit at a table. A waitress put a veggie bun for me. It looked disgusting.

"So, Izumi, I assume you like collecting hair clips?" Hayaki asked as he sliced his own bread and bit into it.

"No. Just because I wear something doesn't mean I collect a lot of it," I muttered while folding and unfolding a napkin several times. I wasn't going to touch that vomit-looking bun.

Hayaki looked like he was desperately trying to think of something to say to me. "Did you do okay on your science quiz?"

"Yes, but thanks to you, one of my friends is mad at me."

"Aw, I'm sorry. Why is she mad at you?"

"She thinks I cheated and she's annoyed at how I had an upper hand."

"She takes things too seriously."

"Yeah, she does. She's a good friend though but a sore loser."

"Well I didn't mean for that to happen. I just told you off the top of my head in the office. It looks like your dad and my dad are buddies."

"I guess."

Just then, I saw three girls outside the window sniggering. I glanced but paid no attention. They walked off. Hayaki suddenly looked flustered. I didn't say anything. I stood up to leave.

"Where are you going?"

"Hayaki, I'm flattered that you like me and I'm giving you a chance, but I have to go home now, okay?"

"Well, okay then. I'll see you tomorrow."

I pushed my chair in and exited. He waved back at me, but I didn't. I just walked back home, making sure he wasn't following me a second time.

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I'm still in the library, thinking. Thinking about how to solve this conflict with Oda Hayaki and his bunch of cronies, friends, whatever they are. It was unfair how I was the only one not hurt. I'm tired of the only one left out. I would like to gain a few scratches showing I was in the blaze of victory for the sake of helping out my friends. It was like in the Digital World. Kouji and Takuya did all the work while I, as Fairymon, was left to watch with Blitzmon and Chakkumon. I can remember that sad fight so vividly. Takuya and us, we did nothing wrong. We were just in the park, minding our own business. Then we get pushed into a corner and these tall guys show up.

While thinking of all these past events, Kouji suddenly appears in my face. I shake off my contemplation mode and look at him.

"Izumi, I have to tell you something," he says, putting his backpack down and sitting down in front of me. He looks around to see that no one we have bad relations with was around.

"What?" I whispered back.

"You remember that time I ran off and didn't come back for like an hour?"

"Yeah. That was a few weeks back."

"Well, it has to do with why we got pounded yesterday."

I only looked at Kouji. If we were in danger, why wouldn't Kouji let us know in the first place?

"Oda Hayaki only tried very hard to get your attention so that the girls who set you up with him could embarrass you. I don't get why they would do that though."

"What are you talking about? What girls?"

"There's these stupid girls in the seventh grade who are envious of you. Hyata Aiko, Tsukamoto Keiko, and Kunikida Mayumi."

"I haven't done anything wrong."

"Well, the reason I ran off that time for a long time while you guys were waiting for me to come back was because when Oda Hayaki was following us, he had this sly grin. A person doesn't look like that unless they're scheming something. I saw him since I was behind you, acting like your bodyguard. And with Oda Hayaki's actions of liking you, you'd think he'd keep following us around until he got a private moment with you. But instead he just runs off with some girls. I found that weird so I ran off to check up what the heck was going on. Those girls I mentioned seem are friends with Oda Hayaki and have a fat liking for him, but he doesn't really seem to care."

I stared at Kouji. It was starting to make some sense.

"I heard them plotting saying they wanted Hayaki to pretend to like you and then dump you in front of a lot of people during lunch time just to embarrass you."

"Why would they want to do something stupid like that?"

"Beats me," Kouji said, as he looked frustrated.

"Look, Kouji, thanks for looking out for my best interest," I said to him smiling as I patted his hand as a congratulatory thanks. He looked somewhat uneasy. We both sat together at the table, studying just to pass the time and avoid Oda Hayaki at all costs. It was at that point I noticed the huge cut on Kouji's neck. Then I came to asking another question.

"Why didn't you tell me before?" I asked with a small hint of annoyance and frustration.

End Chapter 2.