And so we begin again...
As usual, this last thing turned into more of a rewrite than an edit, but it seems like I'm finally on track... Though I doubt anyone cares.
This chapter is kinda a breather. After the embarrassment I put Chihiro through, I wanted to give her a break.
Anyhoo, another new character comes. They actually mentioned him in canon in Chapter 40ish of the manga, so as usual, I thought too hard and gave him a personality.
As for what his personality is... You better read on...
When I went home that afternoon, after that horrible discovery, my brain was whirring like a chainsaw. I really just could not understand what had happened to me at all. Attraction has some pretty obvious physical signs, and for some reason, the class geek was setting them off on me.
I'd understand if he was good-looking… I'd understand if he was an admirable person… Heck, I'd even understand if he was nice to me, but he just didn't fit in any of those. He's an ill-natured, game-playing, girl-hating jerk. How could I possibly like him?
Still, a crush can be easily dealt with… After a bit of time and effort, I could send my attention someplace else, and my peace of mind could be restored. I felt much better after deciding that.
After a much needed bath, I heard the house telephone ring. The house wasn't empty or anything, but no one was answering it, so I picked up on the cordless phone.
"Hello…" I answered. I heard a slight gasp over the phone.
"Chihiro, baby… I bet you missed me," a voice trying too hard to be sultry came through. I recognised it immediately.
"What do you want, Keita?" I asked sourly. He tutted over the phone.
"Still playing hard to get, I see," he dropped his previous tone, "Where's Chitose?"
I peeked into Chitose's room, but he wasn't there. Though it seems like half of the clothes he owns were piled up on the floor. I swear my brother can't take out clothes without pulling the rest of his cupboard out.
"He's not here now. Should I have him call you back?"
"Nah, I want to stay and chat with you for a bit, my Beautiful Flower. How would you like to join me for some coffee this weekend?" my hand balled into a fist.
"No," I answered as I always do when he asks that, "for the hundredth time, we're cousins," he started talking, but I cut him off, "and no, even if we weren't cousins, you're still too young… and too forward…" He never really took my rejections that harshly anyway.
"How about if I said I've got your diary captive?" he said, cheekily. What diary?
"Nice try… I don't even have a diary."
"Sure you do. When you guys moved, we got a box of your stuff, and it was inside there."
"I don't believe you," I said, but I was worried now. I did have a diary when I was younger. It is a possibility that when we moved to this place two years ago, it could have been left there.
"If you think I'm lying, here's your proof: 'Dear Diary, today, me and Ayumi were'…" I recognized that. That definitely is mine.
"Okay! You've proved your point. Now when can I get it back?"
"How about on Saturday, when we go get coffee together?" That evil brat! Saturday is still ages away. He may not be the brightest crayon in the box, but even he'd manage to read through that whole book in the end.
"How about today, when I come over and whip your ass…" I was pleased, my voice sounded super threatening. And if I just hung out for a little bit, it'd be fine. As long as I get that diary back…
"You've got a deal if you stay for longer than an hour…"
"Got it then. I'll be over in half an hour. You better have the Vii set up before I get there."
"Yes, ma'am! A gaming date sounds good," he cut the call, sounding much happier. I felt a bit bad for being so harsh to him, but he really didn't get the hint otherwise. As I was dressing, I heard my brother coming out from the kitchen. I didn't know he was even home today. Of course, he'd be coming with me as well.
"Chitose!" I called and he came running… Such is the power of being an older sister… "Keita invited us over to play Vii. So are you coming?" He smiled widely.
"Of course! I haven't played in ages."
So, we made the half an hour walk to Maijima East to my Aunt's house. It was weird, passing all the buildings I used to see every day when I was younger. It really has been some time since we visited here.
I felt really guilty when Keita opened the door, holding out a rose for me, when he noticed I was with Chitose. It was a loophole in his words, but it was just plain mean. So I made up for that by being super nice to him the whole time I was there. Of course, kids always take advantage of kindness, so I still slapped him when he tried to cop a feel. God, what's wrong with fifteen year olds?
Still, I had fun. Playing racing games definitely took my mind off the whole thing this afternoon. He handed me back my diary as we were leaving.
"Even though we weren't alone, you came, so here's your diary back," he blushed, "and I'm sorry for nearly grabbing your butt. I don't know what I was thinking," he scratched his temple.
"You stopped, at least. Thanks for inviting us… well, me… over. I had fun today," He held up his arms for a hug, but I declined. I think he understood, considering what happened.
The rest of my day was pretty boring… I was too exhausted to do anything when I got home. I just threw my newly acquired diary in my desk and went to sleep.
I was back in that white room again. It was a bit different though, because there was a black motorcycle a few feet from me. I felt my heart stop for a second in fear, and I backed away slowly, like it would come attack me again. Still, it didn't move.
Despite my constantly increasing heartbeat, I slowly went over to it. After all, it was the only thing in my dream… It may have even been the thing I was waiting for.
There was a small note on the dark seat, which showed up really obviously. I picked it up gingerly and read it.
'DRIVE ME'
I scrunched it hard in my grey fist. Like I'd ever drive that death trap!
The next day played out almost exactly the same as yesterday, I walked into class, seeing Otamega's head stuck into the wall. How the hell did Ayumi get so strong?
"Err, Ayumi, don't you think you're going to far here?" I asked her as she was putting her kicking leg down.
"No… He also came to cheer for me yesterday," oh yes, she had mentioned that before… I don't really understand why it irritated her so much.
"So why does that bug you? Is he distracting you or something?"
"Well… not really. But people in the club are starting to talk now, like me and O-o-otamega are dat-" she slammed her head down, as if the thought was too horrible to say out loud. It took a second to sink in, but I finally understood why it was bugging her, because it was the exact same thoughts that had come to me last night.
For some weird reason, I'm attracted to him. Still, I'd deny it frantically if anyone asked me. Unless I wanted to commit social suicide, no one will ever find out about this. Now, back to Ayumi's problem…
"Just tell him he's annoying you and you don't want to be associated with him. I'm sure he'll leave then," she sighed.
"I tried that yesterday, but he won't stop. If anything, his banners are getting even bigger now."
Oh yes, I saw that. Those banners were definitely more obvious compared to yesterday. I wonder what's up with that now.
"How about if you ignore him? I know my brother leaves if I ignore him," it was a silly thought, but I think I struck gold with her, because Ayumi stopped looking so bummed.
"You're a genius, Chihiro!" she exclaimed, a new fire shining in her eyes, "he's probably winding me, so I'm sure ignoring him will be just the thing."
"I kinda doubt it," I muttered, and went to my seat because Takahashi-sensei had come in for maths. Not that I can say I know Otamega very well, but he seems more stubborn than that. I really don't understand why he'd be bothering Ayumi at all. Both him and Ayumi would be happier if he'd just go play his games… Or not…
Suddenly, a horrible idea occurred to me. Could it be… he likes Ayumi…
I had said it in jest yesterday, but considering his usual antisocial behaviour, it has to be a pretty drastic change… A crush could fall under that.
I had decided yesterday that no matter what happens, I'd never ask Otamega out. I'd get laughed straight off the universe if I did something like that, and honestly, he's mean and unsociable anyway, so we have nothing in common, yet somehow, the thought of him liking Ayumi made my stomach sink. I had absolutely no right to think like that, considering how much I bad-mouthed him.
I ended up avoiding Ayumi for the rest of the day. I think my mood's too volatile now, and I don't want to say something I'd regret.
At lunch, I got some melon bread from Demeter, because as always, the omelette-soba bread is always sold out here. After that, I went to sit by Mappy-chan in our class. She looked pretty excited about something.
"So…" she asked expectantly as I pulled a chair and sat down.
"So…" I dragged out. I have no idea what she was expecting.
"So do you like him?"
Oooohhh, pointless cliffhanger...
Well, Keita will probably come again later, but most likely, he'll have a bigger role in the sequel, coz someone has to help Chihiro learn guitar.
And I'm hoping that you got that Vii is a knockoff Wii, which coincidently happens to be my favourite gaming console for the time being.
Anyways, please review. It seems like whenever I write that, someone does listen, so I like that at least.
