CH 4: At Odds
Rejected
Hiromu needed to approach Morishita-san to borrow data on their previous battles with the megazords. As a student-trainee at the Energy Management Center, he needed all the data he could get for his research so that he could secure a place (or job) at the said facility. He knew how to balance time for his two top priorities: training as a scientist-researcher at the facility and fulfilling his academic duties. This was expected from a genius like Hiromu Sakurada. He always knew how to approach tedious situations except for one thing—love proposals.
He accepted the chocolate bar from Usada and placed it inside his bag. He had to keep a straight face so that Youko wouldn't think that a genius like him could easily panic at confessions. For the paper, it remained neatly folded in his hand.
Youko jumped from the floor that she was standing on. Still donning a bewildered face, she grabbed Hiromu's arm and dragged him outside the building.
Now outside, she looked at him and marveled at how he was gathering his composure bit by bit.
At first, Youko couldn't utter any word except, "H—Hiromu"
She fell silent for a minute.
Baka, baka, baka! Youko told herself. She slapped her face with both of her palms until she caught a sight of the paper from Hiromu's hand. Without hesitation, she took it and used it to cover her face.
"This message is not for you. I helped a friend relay her feelings to Morishita-san, that's all. Demo, the chocolate, is yours. Ryuu-san asked me to make one for you.".
Hiromu removed the paper that covered Youko's face so that she could look straightly in his eyes.
He said bluntly, "that's a relief. Because you're not my type."
"sou-desu," Youko said smiling while nodding her head… until the words because you're not my type registered in her mind. "HUH?". Her mouth fell open once more.
"you're like a little sister to me," Hiromu said approvingly, "besides, it will be really strange to be romantically involved with you. You're moody, impulsive and not serious in doing your homework"
When he said those words, he couldn't help but to burst in a chuckle. On the other hand, color was beginning to rise in Youko's face. Hearing the words moody, impulsive and not serious in doing homework sounded like an implication that she was being a child.
In fury, she slapped the paper in Hiromu's face and walked away from him (her steps as heavy and as loud as she wanted it to).
Hiromu was left wondering why Youko was angry at him. Looking at the time, he went inside the building to gather the materials he needed for his research.
Pondering
Annoyed, Youko marched in her room and took all her workbooks from her bag. She settled herself on a desk nearby and started solving problem sets. Her answer sheet had tiny holes because of the mighty grip from her pencil.
She realized that she can't answer some of them. Heaving a big sigh, she placed her chin flat on her worksheet and began playing with her pencil.
Besides, it will be really strange to be romantically involved with you.
These words by Hiromu played inside her mind for a while.
Hiromu Settles at the Base
"I'll be staying here for a while, until my research is done" Hiromu explained while dining together with Ryuuji and the buddyroids. They were eating pasta, Youko's favorite dish.
"your college is just nearby afterall," Ryuuji said, "and you can still use your old room here. But I heard you needed to do a one week teaching assignment?"
Hiromu nodded in reply. Nick put a hand on his shoulder and said, "but you're a genius, you always finish ahead of time. Without flaws."
Ryuuji concurred with Nick's choice of words. Becoming conscious that Youko hadn't appeared yet, he asked Usada where she could be. Usada replied, "she's in her room, doing her homework."
Ryuuji accidentally dropped his fork. Hiromu on the other hand quickly cupped his glass of water after a sudden choke.
Youko appeared from the hallway with a workbook. Her eyelids were heavy and puffy from rubbing. She dropped the book beside her plate and took a seat beside Usada. She noticed Hiromu from the opposite side of the table and asked indifferently, "what are you doing here, siscon?"
"that's not the proper way to talk to your comrade, Youko-chan" Ryuuji said firmly, "he'll be staying for a while to do research as a student-trainee here"
Youko glanced at Hiromu's reflection in her fork. Hiromu noticed this little gesture and smiled at her. She turned her head at him and made a face.
"Youko," Usada began, "you need to do your homework alone, I'll be having a comprehensive check-up with the other buddyroids"
From an indifferent disposition, Youko suddenly became worried. She turned to Ryuuji to ask help. Ryuuji broke into a pitiful smile. "gomen ne Youko-chan, I have my deadline tonight as well."
Youko glanced at Ryuuji and Usada back and forth. I'm so unlucky today, she said to herself. Firstly, Hiromu told her that she's not girlfriend-material and secondly, Ryuuji and Usada won't be around to help her finish her homework.
"I'm done with my homework," Hiromu said "I'll drop by in your room later"
"no you're—" Youko didn't finish her sentence after seeing how many pages left she had in her workbook.
Youko turns to sleep
Youko wore her carrot-designed pajamas and instantly jumped on her bed to bury her face on a soft pillow. She did this while waiting for Hiromu who went for a bath before proceeding to her room. She paddled her feet like a duck, lulling herself to sleep.
A soft knocking was heard from her door and she told the person to come inside. Hiromu excused himself for his intrusion and went to sit on the floor next to the table containing Youko's books.
Hiromu looked around her room and said, "Your lights are dim. It's not conducive to studying."
Youko was not replying. Her thoughts were on something else.
Hiromu's eyes fell on a figure who was being tempted to doze off. He tugged her arm lightly, telling her to stay up for a while or else her homework won't be done. Youko sat up on her bed, rubbing her eyes and clutching her rabbit plush.
Realizing that Youko wouldn't sit on the floor with him, he brought the workbook to her bed instead. Her head was bobbing while Hiromu showed her a short cut problem-solving technique.
"I didn't know that'll come easy" Youko said, smiling and squinting at the same time. Hiromu continued teaching her of other problem-solving shortcuts until she was finished with everything.
"you're doing grea—" Hiromu stopped when Youko's head fell on his shoulder. He closed the finished workbook and tossed it lightly on the table. He burst in a fleeting chuckle and positioned her gently and properly on her bed. He made sure that she was tucked properly with her rabbit plush beside her.
Before leaving her room, Hiromu took another glance at her and said quietly,
"arigatou"
Youko wakes up
Youko stirred from her position and gently opened her eyes. She saw how she was properly tucked in with her rabbit plush by her side. She thought that only one person did it—and it was none other than Hiromu. And he was treating her like a child again.
