A Companied By 3
Chapter 3 – I can't back down!
By: E.L
*Buzz Buzz Buzz*
*Yawns*
"…Another crappy morning, well there's no use to whine, might as well get ready.. Sigh"
Hey guys, Akira here, It has been two weeks since Tsubaki has transferred to Aomori.
As you would have expect, school has been very high-spirited lately, due to the many "special" events and competitions that are going on, emphasis on special.
It seems as though the whole school is warped on Tsubaki.
And yes over the last 14 days I have become fully accustomed to addressing her as Tsubaki like she said I would.
All the first, second and even a few third year students are basically always "hanging" around her.
She attracts attention everywhere she goes, simply put, they are like mindless love-drunk zombies after being shot in the heart with cupids arrow.
As I rushed downstairs I quickly ascertained if my father was home or not.
Like I have already suspected, he wasn't home.
Even though I know the chances of my father being home are one to an million, I still hold a little hope wishing he was home, just so I could say "good morning" to someone.
You know what I mean?
But whatever, these feelings are probably what my childhood psyche are trying to convey to me.
As I began to put on my crimson red tie, I realized Megumi should've rang my doorbell by now.
Being curious and all, I hastened my speed and attempted to rush out the door.
*Ringgggggg Ringggggggg Ringggggggg*
"What the…"
"Who in the world is calling this early in the morning?"
I went towards the phone wondering who was calling, but making a bet to myself expecting it was a wrong dialled.
As I grabbed the mobile, I felt as though I lost control of my hand after reading the caller ID.
"…"
I sure did not expect this individual to call me in the morning…
Wait what am I saying?
I don't expect a single phone call from this person ever.
"Hello?.."
"Huh? Hello? Akira?"
It's been a while since I heard his voice, he sounded startled.
"Yeah it's me, why are you calling?"
"Our neighbour, how is she feeling?"
I can only assume he was talking about Megumi, plus, what does he even mean by: "how is she feeling?"
"Huh? What do you mean how is she feeling?"
"You don't even know your own neighbours status? She is sick with a fever."
"What the hell?! Since when?! And how do you even know that?"
I thought for a second if by chance he was a creepy stalker.
"Haha, I think you should be a gentleman and drop by her house to take care of her. Uhmm and uh.. also I know because her fa-"
He suddenly stuttered and I heard a raspy noise at the background.
At that moment, I already knew what he was gonna say next.
"Oh shoot sorry Akira I have to go ill tell you the details later! Bye!"
"Yeah okay, B-"
*Beeppppppppp*
He hung up before I could even say bye.
Still being surprised from the phone call, I thought taking care of Megumi was my top priority today, I just think I should repay her for all the things she has done for me.
"Sigh, Okay! I think im gonna call in sick today so I can baby-sit Megumi."
*Ringgg… Ringggg…. Ringgg…*
"Uhmm Hello?"
"Aomori High, How may I help you?"
"My names Akira Hasegawa from class 2-C, I am calling in to confirm that I am sick today."
"Okay. Thank you very much. Please bring a note signed from a parent or guardian on the day you come back."
"Yup okay, have a nice day, bye."
After making the phone call I quickly took all the equipment and things I thought I needed to properly take care of Megumi.
From pots and pans to towels and ice packs, I took everything to ensure she gets better from her fever.
As I finished packing all the items I changed from my school uniform to a simple white t-shirt and black sweats then headed out my door.
*Ding Dong*
"…Hmm is she asleep?"
*Ding Dong*
"Maybe she's not home?.."
I reached out for my phone and dialled Megumi's number.
*Ringg Ringggg Ringgg*
"I'm sorry the number you have dialled is currently unavailable, please try again later."
"Hmmm this is troublesome, maybe the door is unlocked?…."
I reached out for the door handle and began to twist it as if it was unlocked.
Before I say what happens, I swear it was a wild guess, im not some kind of wanted criminal who knows how to lock pick.
*Creeek*
"What the… The doors not locked?!… Wait.."
I thought of a violent scenario in an instant and just began to panic.
"MEGUMI!"
I hurried into her house as if I was an intruder, well actually, yeah I am an intruder at the current situation but I didn't really consider it since I was worried about Megumi's safety.
I ran upstairs, did a few turns and dashes and eventually got to her room.
I slowly stopped right in front of her door, took a deep breath and started turning the door handle.
Thank god.
"Stupid girl making me worry."
But still it was unusual that her door was unlocked, I wondered why.
Megumi was just crawled up in her bed snoozing soundly.
I dropped my things down on her desk and slowly analyzed her room.
Her room gave the same warm feeling like always.
I've been inside Megumi's house only a few times before, I barely see her father home so its always just been me and her alone in the house playing as kids.
And no, nothing suspicious happened. Im serious.
She still had her stuff animals and her framed pictures placed around her room.
It's as if Megumi was still naïve child who enjoyed her childish belongings.
….Actually no, that's exactly what she still is.
I chuckled a little thinking how cute an individual she is.
As I finished reminiscing about her room, I decided to check up on her.
She had her hair all messy and was sleeping in a grey tank top.
I started getting red realizing how cute she was sleeping.
Perspiration was running down her cheeks so I quickly took my small white towel and proceeded to head to the bathroom so I can soak it with cold water.
Brining the cold soaked towel back to her room I placed it on her forehead, hoping it would cool her down.
"….Eeek!"
The sleeping beauty slowly opened her eyes, but then all of a sudden they got bigger then usual as she located my face.
"..A-A-AKIRA-KUN?!"
"Hey! Sorry did I wake you up?"
"W-WHY ARE YOU HERE?! HOW DID YOU GET IN?! WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME YOU WERE COMING?!"
"One. Isn't it obvious? To take care of you of course. Two. Your door was unlocked so I kind of ran in, my bad. Three. I called you, but you didn't pick up so yeah haha."
She began to blush even more then she normally would. It was fascinating to see her react the way she did.
Afterwards she took her phone under her pillow and saw that she had one miss call.
"Oh.. You did call me, sorry! But also my door was unlocked?…"
"…Oh! It must've been my dad; he was in a rush to leave for work so he must've forgotten to lock the door."
"Sigh.. That's dangerous you know, you should remind him to lock the doors!"
Well my father would sometimes do the same so I can't really say much.
"Yeah I know.. But anyways here let me get you some tea!"
Right when she uncovered herself from the blankets and moved her upper body, I tacked her body back on to the bed.
"You're funny, you're the patient today, just tell me where the tea bags are, ill make it myself."
"Akira-kun… Haha okay then ill be in your care."
We exchanged smiles and I proceeded to head to her kitchen.
Coming back with two hot cups of tea, one herbal and one green-tea flavoured I handed her the herbal one and took other one myself.
"Thank you."
"Haha no problem."
It got quiet all of a sudden and I thought it would start getting awkward so I just spitted something out.
"By the way Megumi, how did you end up with a fever?"
"…Oh uhmm I guess I was working too hard haha.."
Uhmm hello! Megumi speaking, the point of the story will now be told by me!
Jeez.. I didn't know Akira-kun was such a dense person!
I obviously have the fever due to my participation in all those stupid competitions that wretched hag dragged me into.
Ever since the hag declared that she wanted to be Akira-kun's boyfriend she's been challenging me in everything from sports to academics.
(No such thing happened, Tsubaki just stated she was gonna be something more then a transfer student to Akira. Megumi is just over-reacting. (Refer to Chapter 2))
And I have been working my butt off trying to compete with her.
She thinks she's good at everything just because she has higher energy levels then me and maybe a bit more disciplined when it comes to studying but she's just a try hard! Yeah that's what she is, a try hard!
Gah, it enrages me when I think about her stupid face and all the stupid guys that pay attention to her.
(This is what a jealous individual is like.)
"Uhmm Megumi-chan what would you like for supper? I brought a lot of ingredients over from my house and I was thinking of making something for you."
Im glad Akira is not paying a single amount of attention to her!
But then again… he's not paying much attention to me too!
(Akira doesn't pay attention to anything besides his school work.)
"Megumi?…"
But who cares, all that matter is Akira-kun is not at school with that hag, but here at my house to personally take care of me!
"MEGUMI!"
"OH YES, Sorry Akira-kun!"
"You okay? You were zoned out for quite a long time."
"Yeah im doing great! I am healing already haha."
"Okay then.. Whatever you say."
Phew almost lost the mood we had there!
(There was no mood whatsoever.)
"Yeah so what would you like to eat?"
Oh wow Akira-kun is so cool he can cook! And I, not the hag will be the one to eat his food!
I'm back, its Akira again, the rest of this will be told from my point of view.
"Uhmm, I think chicken porridge would be nice!"
"Yeah sure okay, ill be in the kitchen!"
"I want to come with you!"
She was starting to whine like a naïve child, but I, knowing she was sick didn't want her out of bed.
"No Megumi-Chan please stay in bed!"
She rose from the bed and said.
"No look, see im perfectly fi-"
"MEGUMI!"
I caught her just in time, as she had a hazy light headed moment.
"Haha… Sorry Akira-kun..I just wanted to see you in the kitchen.."
"It's okay, but fine, ill lie you down on the couch though okay?"
"Yup!"
I slowly grabbed her weakened legs with one hand and carried her up with the other hand.
I guess I have her in the "princess carry", position.
She looked at me and started blushing a lot but then instantly looked away.
Just a quick second, its Megumi again!
OH MY GAWD IM BEING CARRIED IN THE PRINCESS POSITION I MUST BE IN HEAVEN!
Akira taking the first person position back.
As I carried her downstairs towards the living room I lied her down on the couch nearest to the kitchen.
"Thank you."
"Here take this blanket, stay cozy and sit tight."
I went back to her room to bring all my stuff down, put on an apron and began the cooking process.
As I began cutting the green onions, I thought I should start up a conversation.
"Megumi-chan?"
"Yes?"
"What does your father do?"
That is a question I've always wanted to ask but never had the time to.
"Oh ahah I guess I never told you huh? He's the CE-"
*Ding Dong*
"..Huh is father home?"
"Haha don't worry ill get it."
*Ding Dong*
*Ding Dong*
"I'm coming, sheesh."
I twisted the door handle and opened the door.
Although this was weird, I didn't find it very "surprising".
"Akira! What are you doing at Megumi's house?!"
"TSUBAKI?!" WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?! AND HOW DID YOU KNOW I WAS HERE?!"
"Answer me first!"
"…IS THAT THE HAG'S VOICE?!"
Uh oh.. I feel a fast approaching and destructive storm coming…
"Well uh im here to take care of her."
"…Well she wont mind if I "take care" of her as well right? Plus I heard from the Akishino-sensei that you two were both not at school at the SAME day, so my woman's intuition warned me something was happening behind the scenes."
"NO AKIRA-KUN DON'T LET HER IN!"
She fiercely walked in her house then switched to a graceful tone.
"Sorry for the intrusion."
"NOO! GET OUT!"
"Megumi don't get up, your gonna faint agai-"
What the hell?! Why does she have so much freaking energy now?!
"GOD! YOU'RE RUINING IT ALL!"