Chapter 10. A small landmark for this story. Thank you for reviewing. I mean it. It helps me. I feel what I have worked on isn't bad and that you actually enjoy my work. Please let me know if there are any errors. I would like to perfect this but I am my own writer and editor. Thanks again.
I closed my texting app. This was it. It was working out smoothly. Info-chan loved my plan. She aided me with getting trash driver to arrive at Masuta's house late into the night. She offered this service to me for free. Apparently the driver was purchasing her photo collection and he didn't want his wife to find out.
I would use him to get close to senpai. I would find a way to mold him into my killing machine. I smiled. He was the perfect candidate. A perfect victim. A do gooder. All it took was a little push and he snapped. It was just as I planned. I watched him burn his bag and smiled. Beautiful.
I headed back into the school. It would be odd if I didn't join my club for warmups when Budo knew that I was already here. Headed to the front when I saw Taro and Osana. I was about to hide in a bush when the orange girl saw me. Too late.
"Aishi," she called to me with a smile. I brought myself to face her. Senpai was there. I couldn't seem weird but it was hard to speak with him around. I could feel both their eyes on me.
"Najimi, Yamada," I greeted with a simple smile.
"I was just telling Taro that you were an awesome tutor to me," she smiled. "I owe you one. Really."
"It was nothing," I looked away shyly.
"I really wanted to thank you and Taro helped me with this." She held out a bag. I reached out and took it. I pulled out a box of chocolates. My eyes widened. He helped choose this. I couldn't believe it. I blushed and smiled happily.
"Thank you." Osana tugged on Taro's sleeve.
"Great choice."
"You hit me when I suggested it," he sighed. She hit him?
"You will live." He scoffed but smiled. He wasn't upset? I thought people didn't like to be hit. I wanted to hurt her but he looked so happy. I looked at the chocolates in wonder. Friends sometimes hit each other? I thought that it was only done out of aggression.
"So, Aishi," I heard him say my name. I could feel my heart flutter. I nearly gasped in joy. He said my name. I looked at him. I fought hard to keep my face from becoming red.
"Yes," I tried not to sound so eager.
"Well," he scratched the back of his head. "Osana was kinda afraid to ask but can you keep helping her?" I looked at the orange girl and she looked embarrassed. Taro saw where my eyes went. He cleared his throat. "T-that is if it doesn't bother you." Senpai asked me for a favor. I had to do it. Even if it involved her.
"Yes."
"What," the girl lit up.
"I said yes," I put a smile on my face.
"That's great," Taro smiled at me. I made him happy. Me. Not her. She smiled at me.
"Thank you so much," she grabbed me and pulled me into a hug. I didn't know how to respond. My mother has never hugged me and my father was very strict to the old ways. I wrapped my arms around her slowly. It didn't hurt. It felt nice. It felt safe. She felt warm and trusting. She held me tight and kept thanking me. Over her shoulder, I could see Taro smiling at us.
"See. I told you that you could make friends," Taro joked. She instantly shoved me aside to scold him.
"Taro!" I felt slightly put off but I couldn't stop the smile that graced my lips. This was new. My mind slipped into thoughts as I watched them banter. She had a hard time making friends? I thought she was popular. I traced my memory for anything to counter this argument but I came up with nothing. She only hung around Taro and later Budo. She really didn't hang out with anyone else. Kind of like me. I cleared my throat.
"I'll help you after class," I waved. "I have to get to class." The two smiled. Osana had her fist clenched around senpai's collar but he was smiling. I would have to figure out their relationship later if I wanted to get to him. They waved me off and continued their banter.