Game Start!
Author's Note: Contains spoilers about Saya's Route
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Original Game: Little Busters Ecstasy
Original Concept: Key
Written by: wrathie
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"A-argh…"
Mission… failed…
But it wasn't the end, no it isn't! This is just the start! I know everything about them, everything about them! But at the same time, it was the fact that I know everything and anything about them that… makes me discouraged.
After all, it wasn't just me who has a crush on Riki-kun.
There were many of them and they are my rivals…
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"Ugh."
I hate to admit it, but they are good rivals. They have an important advantage that I do not have and it is a simple one..
They know Riki-kun and Riki-kun knows them mutually. They can hang around with Riki-kun and no one would find it odd. They can develop feelings with him and they with them… they can share time with them and… and…
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"Saya-san?"
I gave a start, it was a classmate of mine and I stood up with a smile, the usual disarming smile that I have for them and she pulled me towards the exit.
"let's go Saya-san, the break is over and the bell is going to ring!"
I nodded and followed her, it was kind of her to pull me out of my trance… and my dislike of the curry. It was simply too hot for me and I had to gulp down a few packets of milk to finish half of it.
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"Saya-san doesn't like spicy stuff?"
She asked me kindly and I nodded wordlessly and replied to her after flicking my hair to the side.
"I try my best even then. It's a sort of training for me. I have to get used to food from Japan after all."
I put on a brave face as the classmate smiled and nodded to me, asking me if I am getting used to the climate here. To them, I had just transferred over and am living by my own.
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"Yes, it is a bit cold at first, but I'm getting used to it."
"That's good, Nuomi-san has been having trouble adapting. Did you see how cute she was wearing the cape and the hat? I heard she had permission to wear it, being afraid of the cold and all."
"Ah… Nuomi-san…"
"Do you know her?"
Of course I knew her, she is one of Riki-kun's friends, one of the… Little Busters.
Her full name is: Kudryavka Anatolyevna Strugatskaya but she is preferred to be called Nuomi or Kudo…
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An adorable girl that is similar to me, one of foreign blood. A quarter Japanese and the rest Russian, she has problem with English and is fluent in Japanese. Odd for a foreigner, she is known to be like a mascot, all the girls like her, even if they view her to be a cute foreigner.
Like me, she was viewed as unique, like a status symbol but she has adapted well due to the Little Busters.
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"… No, I don't. But I do recognize her."
I tersely replied as we hurried to our class, the bell is going to ring. She is a good person, I should really know her name after this but it just slipped my mind.
Nuomi-san, is part of little busters and… she has a terrific crush on Riki-kun as well. From my observations, she is the person most likely to hook up with Riki-kun due to her nature. She has been very… direct in her approach to him. The way she blushes when she holds his hand is so obvious that… that…
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"Saya-san, what's wrong? Are you feeling sick?"
I paused and controlled my emotions. Nuomi-san is like me, deeply in love with him. It's pointless to be jealous about that, I would do the same if I saw me holding his hand…
"No, I'm fine… Just thinking about how Nuomi-san is."
! I said that out loud! Now she'll surely think of me as a pervert or someone stupid! My reputation would surely go down the drain with this stupid remark!
"It's so kind of you to think about her request for a roommate? If it's you, Saya-san, I'm sure she would accept the invitation. It would be more convenient for you as well, coming to school everyday and doing the laundry by yourself is hard."
She smiled and I was stunned for a few seconds as we entered our class just as the bell rang.
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She was impressed by me? She did not think me odd and thought that I'm kind-hearted to think about her? Well, I am kind-hearted after all. I'm supposed to be the idol of the class, right? Respected and looked up by all. Ah-hah-hah-hah!
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After class, I met up with Nana, who was the aforementioned classmate. She is indeed a kind girl, perhaps basking in my status, but I'll ignore it for now. She has proven an invaluable ally and has helped me come up with my second plan.
If Nuomi-san is a rival, like with many other girls, she can also be the one ally I am looking for to get close to them.
Right, I call this:
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Mission: To infiltrate the enemy's territory!
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"Game Start!"
I readied myself by pumping my fist in the air and I clutched on to Nana's hands and spoke to her rapidly.
"Neh, do you think I should move in with Nuomi-san? I'm thinking of moving in to the dorms, like you said, it's tiring coming to school everyday… Can you help me in asking her?"
I gave her my most winning smile and she just melted and gushed out a reply.
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"Of course, I'm sure there are procedures to go through, but if we ask Nuomi-san if she is happy, I mean.."
She coughed and blushed as we headed out of class, our bags in tow. If I remember accurately, right now, Riki-kun would be trying to search for a new member to join their baseball team.
If I recall, this time, it would be Haruka, Saigusa Haruka. She would join the team at this interval, if I had the chance to approach Nuomi before she decides on a roommate.
"Well, she will surely agree! Let's go find her now! I know her personally, so it'll help!"
She smiled as she dragged me towards their class and I hid my triumphant smile.
Of course, I knew that fact too.
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"Etou, Tokido-san?"
"Please, call me Saya."
I smile at Kudryavka, whom we found at the vending machines on the first floor. She seemed to be perturbed about something and after some contemplating; I decided it must be due to Riki-kun. It was pretty obvious the way she played with her fingers and clutched her head and that flushed face, it had to be due to love.
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Love.
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"…"
"Saya-san?"
Nana looked at me in concern and I shook my head to steady myself and spoke again.
"I've heard that you are looking for a room-mate. If you haven't decide on one, perhaps I can be your room-mate?"
She seemed to be studying me and so was I, wearing a white large oversized cap with a matching cape that covered her small form, she looked like a child.
She was pretty too and petite, with her silverish hair and her blue eyes, she is extremely pretty.
Which got me to think, Is Riki-kun… one of those who like little girls?
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"Saya-san?"
She called me again, Nana has a perplex expression on her face as she stared at me and I shook my head another time.
"Yes…"
"Nuomi-san just said she would be happy to have you as her room mate, right?"
"Y-E-S, N-I-C-E T-O M-E-E-T Y-O!" (Author's note: Kudo is bad in English, but this is the only way I can show it's in Broken English. In other cases, it'll be in italic from now on)
"Nice to meet you, Nuomi-san."
I smiled and took her offered hand and smiled back to Nana, who was looking at us happily too. Nuomi-san is an energetic girl, I'll get along with her fine. In fact, I fear no one would not get along with her.
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"Wafu~! It's nice to have someone who came from overseas as I am, Saya-san!"
She spoke as we walked towards the dorm, Nana-chan behind us and I nodded to her.
"Likewise I'm sure. I only have some small luggage, do you mind if I move in tomorrow?"
I smiled at Nuomi-san as we walked. Success! I have successfully infiltrated and befriended a member of Riki-kun's friend. She was my rival in love, so no matter how pathetic she is, how adorable she is. I must not lose to her in chasing Riki-kun's affection.
I swore to myself as she led us into her room.
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It was a surprisingly big room, whitewashed with few belongings. But somehow, it emits a feeling of being home again. This little room, has the personality of the little girl in front of me, Kudryavka Anatolyevna Strugatskaya, a hard working and cheerful girl who loves her friends.
Generic, I suppose. But she has tendencies to get strongly discouraged as well, especially when speaking in English. Lastly, she is very much like a dog, easily cheered up.
"This is a nice room, Kudo-chan"
Nana had become very friendly with her and was rubbing her head to praise her while I looked around. Obviously she haven't unpacked as there were boxes stacked up at the side of the room and I spoke.
"Yes it is, Nuomi-san. I think I'll just bring some of my clothes, a few personal items and I'll be good. It wouldn't do for me to take up much of your space."
I smiled and waved my hand to say it was alright when Nuomi-san tried to protest, which was a little funny seeing how Nana was hugging and squeezing her while playing with some of her key chains which she was showing her.
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"Saya-san! It's okay! It's our room now! We are sharing this room till we graduate, so it's okay desu!"
She seemed really apologetic and I laughed, a real laugh for some time and I shook my head.
"No, I really have very few personal artifacts with me."
A spy has to ensure her identity is not revealed or her cover blown. That's why I never have any personal belongings lying about my room or anywhere for that matter. It is strictly disallowed and I sat down on the bed, the bed that I would be sharing with Nuomi-san.
Well, not directly, but in the same room. We'll be in the same room till our graduation, if I have one and I suddenly realized something.
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It'll be the first time I'll be in such close contact with a girl of my same age and I turned to look at Nuomi-san sharply. She didn't notice me, but I was suddenly uneasy. I was unused to having friends, befriending them or keeping them. I am using Nana-chan, to some extent, but she is a friend. At least, she is eager to help me and seems to enjoy doing so.
I am unlike others who just used her fans to their advantage and bullies them. A certain Soft-ball captain –candidate comes to mind when I thought of that and I smiled.
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"~"
"!"
I gave an exclamation seconds later as I snapped back to reality to see Nuomi-san staring at me within inches of my face and I scrambled to get some distance between us.
"W-what is it Nuomi-san?"
I shivered, shaken that she had gotten so close to me without me noticing and I blushed too, she was just so adorable.
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"You seemed to be thinking about something? A penny for your mind?"
"Actually, it's a Penny for your Thoughts, Nuomi-san."
But, I suppose I can get used to this. This new life that I have a chance to live in, a civilian life, where I do not need to worry about espionage.
I have at least, two friends with me, the loyal Nana-chan, who is looking at me and smiling and Nuomi-san, who is smiling shyly as I petted her head.
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"I'll teach you English, Nuomi-san. But you have to let me play with your dogs as well."
I smiled as she nodded her head happily.
"Strelka and Belka will be glad to play with you, Saya-san~ And Nana-chan can play with us too~"
She smiled and I nodded back. This is the true start of my mission, so I declared in my heart: Game Start!
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Author's Note: Kud~ Wafter~