Hello everyone, Alex here!
I am quite early (no, still late) right now, eh? I was able to write this chapter much faster and longer than the last chapter. I hope you will enjoy this!
Also, thank you very much to Jaxxiz and AbacusBear! Your support is very much appreciated! I hope you continue enjoying my story, and don't be afraid to leave your criticisms on my story. To Jaxxiz, this is where I will say, "See for yourself." There are many more events that will happen in this story, so I hope you stay tuned!
So, without further ado, let's begin!
Chapter 10
"Yo, Nishimura-san!"
Sigh... Who's this loud voice? Don't they know I am trying to take a nap? They can just talk to me later...
"Oi, Nishimura-san... Notice me."
... well. It seems very important.
"Huh? Sorry, I was sleepy there... is there a problem?" I asked as I raised my head.
"Not really, but I would like to ask for some help..."
Oh, this girl is Rika Tadashi, one of my classmates. She is smart, but she's very shy. Well, to be honest, she is one of those close acquaintances I have in my class. She sticks with me when no one would, and would help me in many ways. Sadly, I can't really call her a friend of mine. I don't know. It's probably just me seeing things, but her eyes tell me she doesn't really look at me as a friend.
Well, I don't really care if her personality is just a mask or if she only comes to me if she needs anything. I am here to study, not to act chummy with everyone.
"Help about... what?"
"You seem very close to Shouji-kun... I would like to ask him something about a group project..." she said as she fiddled with her fingers.
"We're not that close, really. We just happened to be partnered for a Science proejct. That's all," I said.
"R-really? But I don't think I can ask him about it... He just seems so distant that it feels like he's pushing everyone away from him..." she said with a sigh.
"I see. Then why don't we try together? I can accompany you in asking him," I suggested with a smile on my face.
"Oh... That's a great idea! I would really like a companion when approaching him..." she said.
"I see. You lead the way," I said.
I don't really understand why people are afraid of Shouji Kazuma. Is he some kind of a monster that these guys think he will devour them?
Tadashi-san led the way towards Shouji-san. Well, she was quite shaking as she approached Shouji-san. That guy really needs to calm down in giving negative vibes.
As expected, Shouji-san was staring idly somewhere. It looks like his attention won't even be pulled out of the trance-like state he is in right now.
"Uh-um... Shouji-kun?" Tadashi-san said with an awfully shy voice.
"Hmm?" he said as he finally turned his head on hear, his usual apathetic eyes landing on her, causing Tadashi-san shake.
"Oh, good morning Shouji-san. Tadashi-san wants to ask you something about a project," I came on the rescue and smiled the best I can.
"Oh, Nishimura. You really have to pull someone to speak for you," Shouji-san said sarcastically as he continued to look at the window with an apathetic look.
Tadashi-san shrieked a bit at the comment. Shouji-san is really a jerk, isn't he? For him to speak so cruel of someone... For some reason, he really just hits me on the wrong spot everytime we meet.
Before I could speak, Shouji-san continued to speak.
"So, what is it?" he said as he turned to us again.
"Uh-um, I was wondering when we can start with the project... The project is due in a week so... When will we start?" Tadashi-san asked very timidly.
"Oh, that's all you have to ask. I don't really care about when or what, you can decide for your own," Shouji-san said and turned his attention to the window again.
"A-alright, can we start tomorrow?" Tadashi-san said.
"Well, whatever." Shouji-san said and stood up, leaving the room.
What in the actual... That guy! How can he act like that! Someone is still talking to him and he acts like no one is? Talk about being a jerk!
"Just as I have thought... I am hated in this class..." Tadashi-san said with a sad smile on her face.
"No, you aren't hated. That guy is just a pure jerk. Don't pay him any attention," I said, trying to comfort the girl.
"I hope he isn't angry at me... Thank you, Nishimura-san! I give this cookie as a thank you gift!" Tadashi-san said, taking a small bag from her pocket and placed it on top of my hand.
"I really did nothing but... thank you," I said with a smile.
Tadashi-san smiled and walked away. I inspected the bag on my hand. The bag is colored blue, tied with a green ribbon and has a small note tied to it.
"This seems delicious... but classes are starting," I said to myself, deciding to put it away for now.
?
"Sir, we caught a suspicious guy."
I sat on my revolving chair, examining all the papers on my table. All the papers on the table shows the personal information of all people affected by the crisis.
"Suspicious guy? That means he is also affected by the crisis itself," I said from my chair as I stood up, going near to the man.
"Tell me your name," I said.
The man has a very lean build, black hair and a pale complexion. He is currently on the ground, chained by the guards to disallow him from escaping.
"I have no name. I am someone who appeared to take revenge on everyone who gets into my way," he said as he smirked quite evillly.
"Oh, I see. Why do you want revenge?" I asked again.
"You see, you all have destroyed the land I am living in. I could have lived in peace with everyone in my town, but you came into the picture. Of course, I am not gonna let the likes of you just destroy are hard-earned freedom. You are all disgusting shits who should be slaughtered. Got it?" he said, smiling more and more evilly.
"I see. Take him to the chamber. We can't let this sickness spread," I said as they pulled him into the chamber, the man's screams heard from a long distance.
This crisis is just getting worse. We need to fight against this. We can't let this spread.
"Moving onto the next part..."
"Shouji-san."
Oh. My. Messiah. Our next subject is Science and we got to present all those presentations we have prepared for in many days. Of course, I am quite nervous because I will be speaking to a large number of my classmates, but I have to overcome this...
"Hmm?" he said as he turned his head to me.
"We're going to prepare all the things we need for the presentation. Can you lend me a hand?" I said as I took my laptop bag.
"I see," he said nonchalantly and took all our visual aids from hs bag and set them up.
Shouji-san... For some reason, even if he acts nonchalantly all the time, as if he doesn't give any care about what's happening, I feel that he is trustworthy. I know that I can trust him somehow. That's why, I am trusting him that this presentation will be successful.
"Good morning class."
As we heard our Science teacher enter in the class, we all stood up straight to greet him.
"Alright. For today, we're going to listen to the presentation of Shouji Kazuma and Nishimura Aika about the topic, DNA. Please give them a round of applause," he said as everyone clapped.
"Alright Shouji-san, let's do this," I whispered to him.
"Whatever."
"Good morning everyone! I am Aika Nishimura."
"Kazuma Shouji."
"And we're here today to present to you about the topic DNA. First, let's define what DNA means? DNA stands for Deoxyribonucleic acid, and is actually one of the two nucleic acids present in our body," I started, explaining the basic concept of DNA.
"DNA is where we can find the genes of a person that tell what a person will look like if he grows up," Shouji-san added, his serious voice somehow silencing the whispering voices.
"That's right. So now that we know the basic concept of DNA, let's define the structure..."
"Thank you for the wondrous explanations, Shouji-kun and Nishimura-san. Please give them another round of applause," Sir said before leaving the room.
Sigh... We managed to finish the presentation somehow flawlessly. I am very happy that I met someone like Shouji-san... He added information on the gaps in my explanation. He really seemed like he is an expert in Science and Mathematics.
"Thank you Shouji-san. You did great there," I said.
"I was only killing time," he said as he fixed all our visual aids and returned to his seat.
... of course him being a jerk doesn't change. Whatever. Everyone's flawed anyway.
"Nishimura-san! You did great there!" Tadashi-san said as I sit down on my chair.
"Thank you Tadashi-san," I said.
"Also, you and Shouji-kun look... you know," she said and crossed her fingers.
"Uh, no, I am sorry. I don't like him even in the slightest," I said.
"But you were the only one able to talk to him like he is a normal person. All other girls in our class are afraid of him. He just gives off a frightening aura... Even I can't help it," she said.
"Huh? He's not that scary. By the way, lunch is starting. Where do you plan to eat?" I asked Tadashi-san.
"Hmmm... I think I will be staying in the room. I want to nap after taking a lunch," she answered.
"Alright then. I will be eating in the courtyard," I said as I stood up with my bento in my hands.
"See you then," she said as she took her own bento.
I casually strolled down to our courtyard. It's very peaceful here. I really need sometime to mull over everything. Including letting Shouji-san join, of course.
I am going to admit it. He is trustworthy person, just like what Chrono-kun thinks of him. But for some reason, I am afraid he will leave the team. That's where I am conflicted about.
"Oh, Aika. You are also eating here?"
I heard a voice and I looked to the source of it.
"Oh, Chrono-kun. I am surprised you also eat here?" I said as I placed my bento box on my lap.
"Yeah. I just thought of going here to think, maybe. How about you?" He asked as he took his own bento box and sat beside me.
"Same," I said as I opened my bento box, noticing a note.
"Big Sis, do your best today! I know you can overcome everything." - Ryuu
My little brother is just the cutest thing in this world! I am just more fired up to do my best for the rest of the day if I will get notes like this from a very cute brother.
"By the way, have you thought of it? About letting Shouji-san join our team," Chrono-kun said as he took a food from his bento.
"I haven't really decided to be honest. I am still conflicted on my overall perception of him. On one hand, he looks like he is trustworthy. But on the same time, he is a quitter," I said.
"I see. But, why not try betting on it?" Chrono-kun said.
"Betting?" I asked.
"Try believing in him. I think that guy needs people who believes in him. I believe he will change once he realizes there are people who believe in him," he explains as he takes another bite.
"I see... But there's not much time for that. There's no guarantee he will change. And U20 is just in a month," I said, taking a bite of Ryuu's bento.
This tastes delicious.
"But you haven't done it right?" He asked.
"Yeah..."
That's true... I haven't even tried believing in Shouji-san yet here I am, doubting him already. Plus, he helped me so much in the presentation earlier. This is not just "killing time." He might have a deeper reason than that.
Well, to hell with it! Why am I even hung over something so simple?
"Alright, he can join the team."
For some reason, Chrono-kun's eyes went larger and he grinned.
"Thank you so much Aika!" He said, hugging me in the process.
W-wait! C-chrono-kun hugging me?! T-this is s-so fast!
I felt my cheeks redden. For some reason, I don't want to remove myself from his warmth. He smells like fresh strawberries... His scent pulls me into peace...
"O-oh sorry, Aika," Chrono-kun said when he realized that he hugged me, his cheeks also reddening.
"I-it's fine."
"Well, now that we're a full team, we shall join the event at Dragon Empire next weekend," Chrono-kun said.
"Event?" I asked.
"It is where a team can earn an early entry to U20. Apparently, we need to win a tournament to qualify for U20. So, we should win there and get a spot," Chrono-kun said with a large grin.
"Yeah, let's win there!" I said and grinned.
Well... Probably that was a bit reckless of me, but Chrono-kun is right. I should try believing before doubting.
"Well I will see you in Card Capital later," Chrono-kun said as he packed his bento.
"Yeah. See you later," I said.
"That was a tiring day eh," I said as I walked down again the usual road home.
So many things happened today... Chrono-kun was able to force Shouji-san into joining. I, now believe, that Chrono-kun hides a hidden power.
"Kazuma, you are the third member of our team," Chrono-kun said over the phone.
"Wait, what? How can you decide that on your own? I only accepted your challenge because I was killing time, not be-"
"You see Chrono-kun, Shouji-san could be a very strong asset. Like, he can win the tournament with us," I said.
"That's true Aika! We should probably start training tomorrow!" Chrono-kun said with a grin.
"You two are idiots," Shouji-san said with an exasperated tone.
"Yeah sure. You will be one too," I said.
Before the call was cut, we heard the annoyed shout of Shouji-san.
For Chrono-kun to be able to force someone like Shouji-san to join... That's a feat impossible to accomplish.
"I agree. But it's still fun," Chrono-kun said as we continue to walk.
The sunset has colored the clouds bright orange. It's really a detail that will be imprinted on my memory. After all...
These are the times I spend walking home with Chrono-kun.
"Oy Aika-san!"
Oh... no.
"Umm, Aika, someone is calling you?" Chrono-kun said.
"Ignore him..." I said as I continued walking.
"AIKA-SAN! Why are you not noticing me?!"
As we continued to walk, I was shocked when the form of the devil appeared before us.
"Sigh, what do you want Yamada-san?" I asked irritatingly.
"I just came here to drop my greetings! Is there any problem to greet your acquiantance?" Yamada-san asked with a pout on his face.
"No..." I said.
"By the way, who is this guy?!" Yamada-san said and pointed his finger to Chrono-kun.
"U-umm, I am Chrono Shindou. Aika's friend. Nice to meet you," Chrono-kun said, trying to put up a smile.
"Wait, what? Aika-san, how can you be friends with Shindou-senpai, a Generation Master?!" Yamada-san said in the most disbelieving tone.
Generation Master... I think I heard that before...
"What do you mean? What is a Generation Master?" I asked.
"My gosh Aika-san, you are not updated with Vanguard? A Generation Master is someone who won the G Quest months ago!" Yamada-san said.
"Huh..."
Wait... So that means...
Chrono-kun won a national tournament before?!
"Chrono-kun, you won a national tournament before?!" I said in my most disbelieving tone.
"Y-yeah, somehow," he said and rubbed the back of his head.
"Wow... So you are an expert cardfighter... and I am standing before one..." I said, my mouth almost gaping.
"Aika-san, I can't believe you befriended someone without knowing he's a national cardfighter!" Yamada-san said.
... why am I standing here? I don't deserve to be in front of someone great as him...
"W-wait Aika!"
"Aika-san!"
For some reason, I was running. I don't even know why. I am running, running... away from them...
... I don't deserve to stand in front of him.
Stay tuned for the next chapter!