Operation: {Type F}: [Unusual]
Next Day
Takajo Household
[Play: Danran (ANANT-GARDE-EYES/Jun Maeda) Charlotte (O.S.T)]
The sky was still a bit dark as the sun hadn't appeared yet to shine light towards the earth. Few people also were occupying the streets with almost all the shops still closed indicating that it was too early in the morning.
*Ring*
Takajo groaned in tiredness as he mustered his eyes to open slightly as his gaze turned towards the ringing alarm clock.
*Ring* *Ring*
With another groan, he then reached out with his still sleepy hands as he pressed it to stop it from ringing any further.
The boy then slowly got up as he yawned before stretching his arms wide as he rubbed his tired out eyes from his sleep. With a sigh he got up but failed to realize that there was an object underneath his feet making him trip as he slipped downwards towards the floor.
[Play: Ihyou (ANANT-GARDE-EYES/Jun Maeda) Charlotte (O.S.T)]
"*Gah!*" Takajo grunted in pain loudly as he felt his chin collide with the hard floor.
There Takajo heard a series of steps coming from the stairs as it stopped just behind his door until someone opened it revealing his mother, who was wearing an apron indicating that she was cooking, who also had a worried look on her face. It only doubled when she saw how her son's face met the floor.
"Joji-chan!" the female hurriedly went towards Takajo as she crouched down. "Are you okay?!" she asked worriedly as Takajo just grunted in annoyance as he lifted his head slightly to face the worried stricken mother.
"Okaa-san" Takajo said as he slowly got up. "I thought I told you to knock first when you come to my room and don't call me Joji-chan!" he complained while the mother just flicked his forehead making him grunt in pain. "*OW!*"
"Joji-chan!" his mother stated, ignoring what her son had said. "I would not have abruptly let myself enter if you hadn't made a loud sound just now" she added as she crossed her arms, seeing Takajo stood up.
"Well, that's only natural I guess" Takajo stated as he bowed. "I ask for your forgiveness" he said dismissively before getting flicked again in the forehead. "*OW!*"
"You're talking like that again" his mother stated as she looked towards Takajo with a raised eyebrow.
"Talking like what?" Takajo asked.
"You're usually stuck-up tone of voice even if you're apologizing" the mother said making Takajo flinch slightly.
This was another trait that he had picked up as he was surrounded by his so called boring environment. He would often excuse himself with a rather dismissal-like tone that he counters to other people if he wasn't interested or if he suddenly got asked to play with them. He usually adds a fake smile, just like yesterday, to highly suggest to other people that he was being polite in declining. He also had used this kind of method in the face of society and as he can see this so called technique was rather effective to people both young and old, no matter whom it is.
The only one who was apparently unaffected was his own mother.
"It's just who I am" Takajo shrugged before getting flicked in the forehead again. "*OW!* Stop that!" he shouted while his mother just sighed.
"And what exactly happened to you?" she asked gesturing for the accident that happened.
"I slipped" Takajo stated as he rubbed his forehead.
"You slipped?" the female repeated again while Takajo just nodded. "You don't seem like your usual self now that I noticed" she concluded.
"I am my usual self" Takajo answered but his mother just shook her head in response.
"You don't usually slip first thing in the morning for starters" her mother said and as Takajo was about to say something he was interrupted. "And I flicked your forehead three times now unlike every morning" she stated much to Takajo's bewilderment as he realized something.
Indeed he had been the victim of getting flicks in the forehead by his mother that usually happens every morning when he made any kind of absurd or any not-so-philosophically-right-answer as his mother stated.
Though he also noticed that it was also indeed the first time he got thrice the flick and also considering that it was so early in the morning.
"It's probably just a coincidence" Takajo as he spoke with a shrug concluding that this was all just misfortune on his part.
That would be a natural and normal conclusion, seeing that it merely happened on a whim and Takajo himself can admit that he could have misplaced that particular object.
"Maybe..." Takajo heard his mother mutter as he glace towards to only see her having a thoughtful expression.
"What?" Takajo asked after a few seconds observing his mother think as the latter look at him.
"This could be the day that'll change something" his mother cryptically stated much to Takajo's confusion.
"Huh?" Takajo tilted his head puzzled by seeing his mother say something like that.
"You don't usually make mistakes like these right?" the female asked and with Takajo's nod, she nodded. "And you don't generally shout this much in the morning right?" With Takajo's nod again, the mother smiled. "And..." she trailed off.
"And?" Takajo said with a hint of impatience.
"Something unusual might also happen to you that don't normally happen everyday" the mother said much to Takajo's confusion which quickly changed when she continued.
"Finally getting a friend for a change" the female added, stunning Takajo.
"That's impossible!" Takajo automatically and as he was about to shout again, he got a glare from his mother, which he didn't continue as he coughed. "That is so illogical in so many levels" he added with a shook of his head.
Takajo's reaction was pretty reasonable... or is it?
In his own belief, that very idea was, just as he stated, impossible. He himself had acknowledged the fact that there wasn't any need to be "friends" with the boring people he had grown up with. Adding the fact that he had somewhat expressed to other people that he didn't have any plans of doing so, that some of them have either ignored or didn't see his implications, which was the majority of his classmates in school and other people by the way.
That also includes how his mother had managed to come up with that conclusion in the start as she abruptly based it on his so called unusual after wake up session.
Hearing that specific claim, he couldn't quite understand why his mother could conclude something so... unbelievable. It was something similar to what he had read from his novels that has a scenario like, when one of the protagonist experiences something early in the morning after they woke up that can be regarded as "unusual". The following events follow that particular theme where, the protagonist will experience levels of unusual-ness unlike the routine he had been used to.
It also often ends up where a new character would pop up seemingly out of nowhere without any kind of warning whatsoever.
Takajo then scoffed at the idea... there was no way that would happen. Right?
"That will not happen" Takajo stated firmly making his mother look at him in disbelief.
"So... aside from what we are talking about, you're practically denying the fact that this could be your opportunity to make friends and also ignoring the idea that this could be your chance to not be left alone, as you are now, for the rest of your childhood?" his mother said with a eyebrow raised.
"Yes" Takajo nodded with a resolutely determined unwavering expression.
"...That simple response is so wrong" the mother shook her head before looking at Takajo with a determined gaze. "I'll just make sure to teach you about why having friends is important for your own benefit and for your future as well, Jijo-chan" she added.
"Don't call me Jijo-chan" Takajo stated as he crossed his arms. "And I totally get what you're implying if the possibility of being lonely, which I do not admit, will be present in my future conquest" he said.
"Then what's the thing that you don't understand?" his mother asked. "Having friends will make you much more of a better person right?" she added while Takajo just laughed.
"That has only one problem" the mother heard Takajo said as he continued to laugh.
This was the few laughs that very very few people can hear from the usually quiet Takajo, as his mother herself had rarely seen her own son laugh genuinely or even sarcastically for that matter. She should have feel happiness from seeing Takajo like this even if his current laugh was sarcastic but she felt an emotion clearly away from that, if not for the fact that she can predict what Takajo's next words were.
"I don't need friends" Takajo amusedly said with a shook of his head making the mother groan in frustration as she rubbed her temples.
This was the actual reaction and reply that she had been anticipating from the young teen, which really made her think that her usual remarks of Takajo being a loner would probably and undoubtedly just come through if he keeps this up...
"Don't just state that with a- you know what?" the mother stopped as she shook her head with a sigh, feeling a headache that was forming in her head. "I'll just include that with our approaching personal discussion of mother to son about friendship, just as I promised" she added making Takajo groan.
"Bu-!" Takajo was about to protest but he was stopped by a glare.
"No buts mister!" Her mother said quickly as Takajo just shut his lips tight. "Anyways" the mother shrugged as she made her way towards the door. "You should prepare and come down to eat breakfast" she added and as Takajo was about to say something again, he was swiftly interrupted the second time. "And I took the pleasure of preparing food for you, so just take and eat it" the mother notified before closing the door.
Takajo, hearing her, just sighed before getting his glasses from the nearby desk as he stood up. Stretching his slightly numbed arms, he then proceeded to get his clothes on the closet.
A Few Minutes Later
As Takajo descended down the stairs, with his now wore casual clothes and had done his morning routine, he then entered the kitchen to see his breakfast laid out as he took a seat.
He usually cooks for himself breakfast every morning, especially weekends, but it seems that his mother really did prepare just as she stated earlier. Slight shaking his head, as he muttered a low "Itadakimasu", he then reached out for a pair of chopsticks as he ate.
Not that he was irritated and even hated for his mother preparing him breakfast. He was just slightly perturbed by the fact that he had stated to the female that there wasn't any kind of need to prepare him breakfast, knowing that he had the capability of rising up early in the morning and preparing it himself.
If he stated that he would be the one to make breakfast, then there was no reason for his mother to cook breakfast.
Though that didn't mean that he was not, at all, grateful for his mother's own efforts.
As he took a sip from a bowl of miso soup, he then admitted that this was probably the greater part as to why he had decided to become "mature" in terms of household and for himself, though not that he can admit it.
Saying thanks for the meal as he picked up his plates as he made his way around the table to get to the sink, planning to clean the dishes but he stopped when his mother entered the kitchen as she said something.
"Don't worry about the dishes" his mother called out from behind him, as Takajo stopped as he turned to look at her. "I'll take care of them and you should just go to the bookstore you always go to" she assured as she made her way towards him.
"It still early" Takajo said looking towards a wall clock. "I can do it myself" he suggested while his mother just patted his head much to his irritation.
"I'll do it" his mother repeated as she ruffled Takajo's hair. "Just an effort from me, seeing that you might possibly have a bad day depending on earlier" she stated.
Takajo then looked at his mother unsurely, as he didn't know why she had said what happened earlier. He could've sworn that his mother was just joking about that matter.
"That's only your whim, Kaa-san" Takajo stated with a smile before shrugging. "Fine then, I'll just drop by the bookstore now" he accepted and as he felt a small peck in the forehead from his mother he exited the kitchen, entering the living room to get his bag.
Outside
[Play: Asa (ANANT-GARDE-EYES/Jun Maeda) Charlotte (O.S.T)]
As Takajo closed the door behind him before turning around as he walked, he made his way towards the sidewalks as he observed that there was indeed few people in the streets.
There was no school today, which could explain why there were fewer people early this morning in the streets. And it also indicated that many people were probably asleep yet seeing that it was a weekend.
But for Takajo, this particular day was somewhat important for him because, as stated earlier, he was planning to get something in the bookstore, most likely a book of course.
Takajo actually didn't need to go this early, if not for his tendency to get his oh so favorite literature from the bookstore since he had taken a particular liking towards a certain novel.
Like how others who would display excitable and eagerness towards a certain thing that they particularly like, it was the same for Takajo but with a minor difference.
He would get his particular thing, which is novels, quickly to not let it be grasped to others.
Takajo himself could admit that he was showing a lot of fixation to this particular hobby by showing haste and quickness to acquire it unlike most people, but that was the kind of person he is and will continue to be that way.
Continuing to walk for a few minutes, Takajo suddenly turned towards a shop, which was one of the few that was open this early, as he opened the door ringing a sound of the bell.
Bookstore
As Takajo came in from the door, he could a rather wide bookstore with bunch of shelves aligned in the walls holding many books with accompanied tables, chairs, couches and mats that decorated the entire floor of the building.
Passing each table, he then turned towards a shelf to see a man in about his thirties seating in the back of a counter as he faced a computer with sounds of typing that he occasionally hears.
"Welcome" the presumed shop owner called out hearing the chime before he caught the sight of Takajo walking towards the counter. "Oh! Takajo-kun!" he stated as the boy brought his bag to the top of the counter as he opened it. "Morning, I assume that you would like to see if the new novels arrived right?" he guessed.
"Yes" Takajo said with a smile as he nodded before placing a book on the counter. "And the volume 3 of this please" he added as the shop owner nodded before a sound of series clicking was heard from his mouse as he was probably searching for some records.
This was actually a particular bookstore that Takajo often visits. Originally a store that had only books rented for educational purposes or other things like magazines and newspaper, but as the owner of the shop had noticed that book readers like Takajo had been looking for novels or more specifically light novels, he ordered monthly for shipments of that specific literature for added income to his shop.
As to why he had known Takajo, with how many customers he had probably interacted. He probably had recognized him for his undoubtedly young age, seeing that only few children his age was interested in light novels, and the greater part was that Takajo had been often visiting his store.
"Let's see... Oh there it is..." the owner said as he skimmed his computer screen before frowning. "Sorry but..." the owner then looked towards Takajo. "I'm afraid that particular book that you're buying, had all gone sold or rented" he notified.
"Really?" Takajo stated with a raised eyebrow as the owner just nodded.
"That novel seemed pretty popular for some people" the owner said. "And the last one got bought just about five minutes ago before you entered, tough luck..." he notified before shaking his head. "Anyways, so sorry, but I promised to update you if someone returned their copy or something" he added with an apologetic smile making Takajo nod.
"Thank you, for the meantime I'll just wait for another copy then" Takajo stated as he picked up his bag and with a small goodbye to the owner of the shop, he left the store.
Outside
[Play: Danran (ANANT-GARDE-EYES/Jun Maeda) Charlotte (O.S.T)]
Takajo was now walking towards his home, with his head slightly down as he gazed towards the floor.
He had been notified earlier that the novel that he was searching for had all been either sold or rented by customers already.
Not that he was particularly angry about the matter. He was slightly down, knowing the fact that he had been waiting to buy a copy of the book and adding the fact that this was the first time that this actually happened. He often gets the book that he wants immediately to read the following volumes of the novel series that he had taken a liking too.
Takajo himself had shown that he was a very patient person, which some people can agree with. He also hides his displeasure about a particular matter so that people cannot know that he was feeling annoyed or irritated, apart from his mother who he had practically had known for his entire life, which Takajo can show his true emotions without inhibitions.
But with the unusual timing that he had been disallowed of getting the particular book that he had been waiting for and had been a rather favorite in his tastes, it only added when he was slightly off the five minute mark when that particular book got sold. It was pretty normal seeing him down considering the fact that he was also a measly ten year old boy that has still "immature" tendencies, which Takajo tries to correct, it was natural to see him this way, no matter how Takajo himself would deny it.
With a sigh, Takajo's gaze then looked forward as he can now see the sight of his house before stopping.
"...Maybe going to the park this early would calm me down" Takajo concluded before turning around as he changed his destination.
He could only accept the fact that this can happen sometimes, as it was only natural for any people to acquire such magnificent literature.
Takajo then stopped as he had now crossed the road leading towards the park.
"Unusual?" Takajo trailed off as he got his eyebrows knitted to only scoff as he shrugged his shoulders as he kept walking. "It's just a coincidence" he stated firmly as he continued to walk.
He had remembered the talk he had with his mother from earlier about things that could happen unusually today before scoffing that particular memory, fully knowing that this was probably a coincidence or a series of misfortune that just accidentally happened today of all days.
As Takajo entered the park, he was currently looking around the park to see it was almost empty with occasional people walking their dogs and some were also exercising.
He didn't particularly thought of coming here this early until about mid-afternoon like he usually does in weekends, but because of his so called downed state, maybe coming here would alleviate his current condition.
Takajo then noticed that the park indeed was almost empty, realizing that this was also an ideal time where he could spend his time alone before people occupy the park. He made a mental note to add this to his habit as it correlates to his interest and he didn't mind waking up early.
His thoughts then stopped as his gaze looked towards a familiar female who was currently sitting in a nearby bench with a dog just beside her wearing a leash, indicating that it was probably her pet.
[Play: Booby Trap (ANANT-GARDE-EYES/Jun Maeda) Charlotte (O.S.T)]
"Hey, aren't you that..." Takajo stated as he trailed off, stopping his walk, not really knowing what to say from the girl that he had logically and practically "dumped" just yesterday behind the school.
As Takajo remembered that particular bit, he suddenly felt a little bit of emotion something akin to shame from replaying that memory. As he knew he had basically acted like a douche bag from possibly making the girl feel insecurities from the rejection that he just did, knowing that he did kinda "harshly" lectured her about unnecessary feelings in this age, many times in fact... though that what Takajo believes based on his novels of course-
...Wait.
Takajo blinked as he realized that he didn't even ask the girl for her name that had just practically confessed her, love despite her age, to him yesterday and knowing that the letters she sent was always nameless...
"Hey!" Takajo heard the voice of the girl in his thoughts. "Good morning! Takajo-kun!" as Takajo glance towards the source, he found a pair of eyes looking towards him as her face held an excited expression.
"Um... Morning as well" Takajo cursed himself slightly for that one-second late response he made.
"Why the long face?" the girl asked as she tilted her head making Takajo coughed as he straightened himself as he managed to answer in time.
"Nothing at all, just woken up with a bad start" Takajo excused while the girl just nodded.
"Bummer... maybe this will help you!" the girl reacted before opening her small bag as she tried to get something. "Where was it..." the girl muttered looking through her stuff while Takajo just looked on with a curious face until he shook his head.
"You don't have to give me something" Takajo tried to dissuade the girl but he was not heard as the girl got what she was looking for.
"Here it is!" the girl said with a smile as she successfully retrieved the object that she had been looking for, before showing it in front of Takajo, who got wide-eyed.
When Takajo settled his gaze towards what the girl was showing. His eyes had abruptly enlarged indicating that he was surprise beyond degree, a reaction that was all too unusual for Takajo himself.
"T-That's the!" Takajo stated with a loud tone recognizing the particular object or you could say... novel that the girl currently was holding.
It was the exact novel that he had been waiting for to the point that he had been considering to acknowledge what his mother had concluded earlier this morning because of how "important" it is for him.
"I sometimes read novels myself, like this one" the girl said making Takajo's eyes returned to her. "And I just got this book minutes ago as well" the girl said with a bright smile. "It's also a great book!" she added.
Takajo knew that there were some as age as him that indeed have the same hobby as himself, understanding now where she had probably gotten the skills in writing, but hearing it in person was surprising and it only added when he had now found out where the last copy have turned to-
"I'll let you borrow it!" the girl said snapping Takajo out of his thoughts as he closed his eyes briefly, pondering on the statement that the girl made.
Sure, he was feeling bummed out earlier about the novel that he had missed in buying, but in him was still the so called mature tendency to look at things in a different perspective disregarding whatever his interests claims. So he took in consideration that it was probably quite unfair for the girl herself, as she stated that the particular book that she held was a great one which he would agree, to just take it from her as she just bought it earlier.
"You don't have to do something like that" Takajo stated as he opened his eyes though there was a hidden tone of hesitation within his voice. "It would be unfair to as a fellow reader to disrupt another" he added,
As a reader himself, Takajo knew that it would be frustrating to just hand over the book that you were intending to read, as a booklover or more accurately, a novel lover, he knew at least that much despite his childish interest.
"It's okay!" the girl urged. "Having to see my crushes' face look like that, seemed uncomfortable for me" the girl said before she suddenly looked towards the ground. "That was... embarrassing to say" she muttered while a thin layer of pink shades overlapped her cheeks.
Takajo, hearing her, groaned silently. As he knew that her so called misunderstanding wasn't yet cleared up yet no matter how many times he had lectured her for. Now his reluctance to borrow the book immediately vanished as he realized that if he did borrow it, the so called misunderstood feelings would probably become more prevalent.
"As I said" Takajo said looking towards the girl. "You don't have to-" he was interrupted when the girl stood up as she pushed the book in his arms making him surprised.
"Just take it" the girl smiled. "It's what friends do right?" she asked which made Takajo more bewildered.
"Excuse me?" Takajo blinked.
"That's not right" the girl shook her head. "If I let myself become my friend, then my feelings would be just senseless!" the girl said with a dramatic tone making Takajo sweatdrop. "Then I'll just take back what I said before of acting like friends" she added.
Takajo didn't know if he should feel slightly annoyed due to the fact that the girl was still misunderstanding or feel happy that the girl took back what she said about being friends.
Unknown to him, a magnificent facepalm just occurred from his own house.
As Takajo was about to say something again, he was interrupted as the girl spoke first.
"Anyway, just take it!" the girl said before picking up her bag from the bench as she untied the knot on her dog's leash. "Just remember to return it to me if you finished it, as I still got a dog to stroll" she added. "Her name's Shounen by the way" she mentioned.
Takajo just looked blankly towards the dog who barked.
...This was the first time that Takajo heard someone name a female dog with a male one, and quite literally for that matter.
"Goodbye!" Takajo was once again interrupted from his thoughts as he looked towards the girl who was waving her hand and has now covered a few meters away from him.
Takajo was about to call out again to return the particular book that he held but stopped as he thought that it would only prove useless due to the fact that the girl had indeed had given him consent and even if he did try, he knew the girl would just encourage him to keep it in the first place.
[Play: Ginen (ANANT-GARDE-EYES/Jun Maeda) Charlotte (O.S.T)]
Takajo then sighed as he shook his head, knowing that he should have showed a nonchalant expression that would fit in that situation to hide his interest or reluctance in borrowing a novel in his interest and his downtrodden expression from where he was notified that the book was sold out in the first place, so that it would dissuade the girl from trying, if not, lessen her urged to make him feel better.
Indeed, letting Takajo have the book would have his expression lighten, if it wasn't for the way he had remembered that he would be probably making the girl feel his current condition as well. And the detail where he would most likely stopping a fellow reader's hobby to read, just as he stated earlier, was a really frustrating feeling to have even if the girl stated that it was okay.
That was also the girl that he would often lecture for having so called "misunderstood" feelings for him.
So instead of feeling lighten, his mood became more sour compare to earlier.
Adding to the fact that he once again forgot to ask for the girl's name...
As he sighed again, Takajo then plopped himself on the bench the girl just seated as he brought down his bag beside him before looking towards the book that he held.
Casting aside the growing feelings of regret and reluctance behind though it still lingers, Takajo then placed the book on his lap, the urge to read becoming more dimmer by the second.
"Seriously... what is up with me today" Takajo groaned as he brought up his hands towards his face.
Apart from his earlier turmoil, he was now feeling growing emotions akin to nervousness and anxiety from his earlier discussion with the girl, which was very unlikely for him to feel but for Takajo he knew clearly the reason why.
Today, he was rudely waken up by a presumed unusual event and had even the decision to just ignore it in the spot before another, out of nowhere; coincidence was thrown towards his face unexpectedly.
So you can guess how his so called "mature" yet young mind wouldn't be able to comprehend his current situation with the given amount of time seeing that he hadn't even started understanding it, and what his mother had said earlier didn't quite help in this situation.
There was actually another trait that Takajo himself would not admit to just anyone, even his own mother aside his stubborn and asocial-like tendencies, that he was practically showing in this kind of situation.
The incapacity to engage in sudden unexpected events with his usual calmness.
The way he was easily caught-off guard by new situations that he was not familiar to almost quickly, as showed now.
The hidden anxiousness that would creep up inside his eyes when he feels something is different.
Or more specifically...
...his inability to move forward efficiently while unexpected obstacles would abruptly come towards his way...
Apart from the two stated prominent traits that he had, if Takajo was being honest, he could say that this was a trait that he wanted to remove since he knew that it had developed from his perspective in society as "boring", thus distorting his expectations to keep that "boring" mindset he had in the society constantly.
In simpler terms, while Takajo may regard society as "boring", you have to take consideration the fact that he had been exposed to that kind of environment in his life. And if something did change in that environment, Takajo has the tendency to be "caught-off guard" by the new addition.
Why?
Because that was one of his downside of having a mature yet young mind.
No matter how he deems himself as "mature" but if only at the age of a measly ten year old, his natural curiosity of a child is still present in that stage. Though maturity weighs more than his curiosity, but if a situation that he determined as "normal" suddenly emphasizes change that he is unsure of, his mind would either use his curiosity that would undoubtedly battle with his mature tendencies.
And in that state of confusion he will most likely be indecisive and caught-off guard, just as he stated.
In simpler terms again, when he is faced by a change in a situation more so when it was unexpected and happened in a place that he had grown to think of as, for example, boring. His "mature" views in that situation would become invalid before contemplating that if that was really "natural" or "usual" at all.
Also he knew he was acting more as "independent" rather than the mature mindset that he sought after, not that he can admit that to himself however, but he knew it was always there.
Anyways, in the conversation that held just earlier with the girl. He had felt that confusion as to why the girl would let him borrow the book that she bought without any kind of hesitation.
Seeing that he had been practically acting like a snob despite the lectures he had given her and even numerously did dismissed the girl's feelings on the spot, making him ask himself as to why the girl would let him borrow or treat him like nothing had happened for that matter.
And the fact that he had been feeling reluctant in following the girl's suggestion also stemmed from the so called mature mindset that he had battling with his interest and eagerness as a child that was making him feel like so.
So it was clear that, alongside with his supposed unwanted trait coupled with his mature and interest opposing each other and adding that his day have started a bit unexpected, he was now feeling a bit overwhelmed despite the day only starting.
Takajo shook his head lightly before sighing as he knew that it wasn't time for thinking if he wanted to advance here forward, though he knew that was contrary as he needed to think to venture forward.
[Play: Danran (ANANT-GARDE-EYES/Jun Maeda) Charlotte (O.S.T)]
And he finally noticed that the park was now occupied with a lot of people and the feeling of something on his lap that was way heavier than what he had remembered. Looking down, he saw piles of books on his lap that he may have read subconsciously.
This was new...
With the unexpected display that was practically in front of him, Takajo shrugged as he can now expect that it was indeed an unusual day for him just like what his mother had said.
Now that he thought about it... now that he was agreeing with his mother had concluded. If his situation right now continues, it would eventually end up where he would encounter someone that would correspond to her assumptions which would result in them being friends...
"That won't happen" Takajo concluded with a shrug as he immediately dismissed the idea.
Aside from the fact that it would undoubtedly be the most "unusual" thing that would happen to him all day or his whole life for that matter, it was practically impossible seeing that he had, as Takajo proudly declared, the most efficient way of "dealing" with anyone that would approach him with friendship as their intention.
[Play: Ihyou (ANANT-GARDE-EYES/Jun Maeda) Charlotte (O.S.T)]
He had a lot of practice after all.
As Takajo was in his thoughts, he was unaware of someone running behind him as the person was currently laughing uproariously to even notice the former himself that was in that person's way.
Takajo himself had been in that position where he was "surrounded" by his classmates as they try to make friends with him, which he countered with the most efficient and practical way of dismissing them.
"This is super fun!" a girl's voice voice despite the loudness was unheard by Takajo, who was still in his thoughts, alongside with the worried shouts, of what people could distinguish, of a female adult as she followed the carefree and excited girl.
The most efficient way in his opinion was being blunt, plain and simple, accompanied with a fake smile to lessen the possible rudeness that would be noticed whilst conversing.
"Wait!" the sound of someone shouting was heard by the vicinity except for Takajo.
It would also be important to add a polite tone and maintain eye-contact with the recipients in order to express your sincerity and earnestness about your response as you try to, politely put, try to dissuade them from being friends in the first place.
"Hello world!" the voice reached high levels of loudness as the girl was now mere meters away from the bench of the probably still thinking Takajo.
And furthermore, try to hide your apparent bored expression from them as it may lead to-
"Super Kick!"
"..."
"Gah!" Takajo shouted in pain as he felt someone kick his head from behind, which made his body lurched forward as he had his face kissed the ground rather painfully.
Whatever he was thinking was rudely disturbed similar to how a foot managed to find its way towards the back of his head.
"I just love the scenery of the park! This is a good thing to write in this kind of situation!" Takajo, with his head still on the ground, heard the voice of a girl that was probably his age with accompanied scribbling indicating that she was writing.
"I-It hurts" Takajo muttered wincing again from the pain as his hand rubbed his nose in his now slightly dust-filled face, as he tried not to say that out loud but it seems that the girl heard him, hearing her gasp.
"Are you alright?!" the girl, who saw him, quickly jumped off the bench to go towards him and as she was about to help him up, Takajo raised a hand stopping her as he stood up.
Takajo, being a self-proclaimed mature young man, knew that it was only an accident(?) and was not intending to start a fit or cry from what happened, unlike what other kids his age would do in this kind of situation, even though they would most likely indeed cry as it was really painful and adding that it was really absurd in so many levels.
He already learned that mistakes can happen either it was intentional or not and reminded that himself to just take care of it to not let it escalate into a more possibly huge issue. Fortunately, the girl seemed to be unaware of what she had done and he had now taken it as a mere accident only, Takajo wished it was an incident.
So with that kind of mindset, he prepared himself to answer the girl with an 'It's alright' before reassuring the girl that it was just an accident in her part which would make the girl leave with no, if not, slight regret from what happened, which is okay with him and would just forget all of this happened altogether after that, as he knew three things that can possibly happen if he stayed long and if he didn't clear the girl's mind about this particular accident.
One, it could either be that the girl that did this to him was a bratty one and not admit her own so called unintentional mistake which he concluded was unlikely hearing the voice that was filled with concern earlier.
"I know it's only an accident, so you don't have to blame yourself" Takajo said bringing out his handkerchief to clean his face, as he stated what he had planned in a smooth and efficient manner.
Two, it could even escalate to the girl saying sorry before introducing herself and ask to be friends which he proudly proclaimed that he doesn't need right now as it can ruin his peace, just like earlier where the girl that he had been talking to was acting.
Takajo didn't hear the girl respond as he looked at her for a moment to register the appearance of the girl he was speaking with.
The girl had long light blond hair that reached her waist with a small distinguishable pen placed on her ear that he concluded was the source of the scribbling earlier. Her hazel brown eyes seemed looked at him with something akin to curiosity and a probing gaze. She was wearing a yellow sundress that with sandals that highly contrasted her long blonde hair, a contrast that Takajo failed to notice.
Last, he may be over thinking but, this could possibly be the person that would approach him with intention as he stated above.
With quick thinking, despite his state earlier of being caught-off guard, Takajo mentally focused in engaging the girl with the precise words in order to avoid her as she was still gazing towards him with the still almost inquisitive look that he was not sure of.
Seeing that the girl still hasn't said anything... Takajo then nodded mentally to proceed to his plan.
"I shall-" Takajo was about to say his leave, when the girl abruptly interrupted.
"This must be destiny!" the girl said with a nod making whatever Takajo was about to say magnificently thwarted as emotions of suppressed bafflement was released from that statement alone.
"No!" Takajo shouted in public for the first time as he shook his head rapidly. "It isn't possible!" he cried out before realizing what he just did as he immediately covered his mouth from his sudden shout.
He never had once shouted at anyone at all, except towards his mother of course, though that was in their banters. In public however, he had maintained the necessary composure in showing politeness and indifference with disguised boringness to show that he had "matured" unlike other children his age.
But with the earlier emotions that he had felt and the approaching inevitable conclusion of his mother that was possibly right in front of his face appearing out of nowhere, which he had somewhat finally accepted. The emotions that he was suppressing, the feeling of confusion, reluctance, regret and opposing views of maturity and interest had abruptly been discharge unceremoniously towards the unsuspecting girl that would possibly be his future turmoil.
Takajo repeatedly cursed himself, as he covered his mouth, in his mind as he slowly darted his eyes towards the girl that he could admit that had the most unexpected expression accompanied with a reply from his outburst that made him look blankly.
"Interesting... maybe you're the one..." the girl muttered which Takajo didn't hear as she took the pen in her ear while retrieving a small book in her pockets as she opened a page. "I have to know your name!" she asked with an unrestrained cheerful and bright smile.
Takajo was currently at loss for words as he was faced with the unusual response of the girl.
In his mind, it was only natural for a person that had been the direction of someone suddenly shouting to either be mad or scared, but it clearly didn't apply to the girl in front of him, who was still waiting for his response.
"Jojiro Takajo..." Takajo introduced himself before his eyes widened as he quickly covered his mouth again while the girl just nodded with the same smile as she wrote something, presumably his name.
He had not been planning of introducing himself, as he now closely believed that this girl was the one that his mother's conclusion was implying to. And by giving out his name, he knew he had immediately sealed the deal that this girl would possibly follow him everywhere now that she heard his name.
"Joji...ro Ta..ka...jo" the girl wrote before looking towards him with a smile that seemed to be more cheerful. "Now that I know your name, I shall introduce myself in return!" she exclaimed and as Takajo was about to protest, the girl was faster.
"My name's Sara, Sara Menako!" the now named Sara introduced herself with a grin. "And I see that this is the start of a friendship so I shall say thank you and sorry in advance!" she added with a salute.
Ignoring the last part that Takajo heard, he was currently looking at Sara with wide-eyes as he, for the first time, couldn't come up with a response as he just stood there truly baffled.
If one asked Takajo what was his opinion about this day, he would undoubtedly say the words...
"...This day is really unusual"