The World Only the Girls Know: Azalea Side
Chapter 36: Reminiscing
Author's Note: Characters from the Light Novels and Manga will be included as well
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Original Title: The World Only God Knows / 神のみぞ知るセカイ
Original Concept by Tamiki Wakaki
Written by: wrathie
Author's Note: Thanks to dongaro and his beta-reading and editing. I'm still looking for a beta-reader! Apply now as I'm driving him nuts!
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'I'm sorry, Ayumi… for hurting you the way I did. If you do not forgive me for what I did, that is understandable. I am not asking for forgiveness or for understanding…'
Takahara Ayumi heard him say that to her and she looked down, while considering a reply, some words that would be of comfort to him and of comfort to her as well.
Although she could not quite get over the fact that Katsuragi Keima had abandoned her and for the most part, ignored and thrown away many opportunities that he had to reconcile with her in the past…
The fact was that perhaps the time spent away from him had made her feelings stronger as well.
It was all too easy to fall in love with the wrong person for the wrong reasons, due to some things that he might have done for her. Especially so for a girl like her, accustomed to being hit on by some guys, she was perhaps easily impressed by the 'unexpected and surprising' things that he did for her.
So it was perhaps fortunate that she had time to muse over her feelings and her thoughts on what could be, what could have worked and of course, what had went wrong between the two of them.
It had made her mature and surer of herself with that long and lengthy period between the two of them meeting again.
Another thing to be thankful for was that she started this conversation only after learning more about him. How much did she know about Katsuragi Keima anyway?
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Not much really, she only knew that he was a nerd and he had a sister that was very very nice.
That's about all… unless you counted the time that he taught her English and the many times that he was with Elsi while they walked to class.
She could slowly paint a better picture of Katsuragi Keima with the things that she learnt from their few short days together. That he was actually a very considerate person, one with broad knowledge, and of course, one who had many sides of him that he wished to conceal.
And Ayumi was fine with that… similar to how she only viewed Keima in a negative light most of the time, she was happy and embarrassed that Keima viewed her in a positive light most of the time instead.
It made her feel a little embarrassed too once she thought about that. For all his faults that she imagined him to have, he never once criticized her about her faults… he would only offer suggestions that would help her to improve.
He had done many incredible things for her, and her friends; and it was unfair for him to continue to feel burdened and to feel bad about what he had done.
Especially so when one considered that if he was speaking the truth all this while, he was only doing that to protect them from himself and the reputation that he carried.
There were many crosses that he had to bear and he had to bear them by himself, with Elsi by his side.
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Speaking of which, that meant that Elsi was in a way his all this time, and Ayumi felt a pang of jealousy for the girl despite knowing full well that Elsi was his sister.
It was time for someone to forgive him and to lessen his burden for a little, even if was minute, she did want Keima to know that she forgave him. For all this he had done, not done and wanted to do… she wanted to believe, to understand and to accept him.
For all his mysterious ways, the many different personalities that he hid behind that same cool exterior, Katsuragi Keima had never truly hurt her.
He had believed in her, just like she had believed in her… and despite all the hardship, Ayumi felt that it was worth it.
As she had learnt things that she wouldn't have known without questioning herself, him and of the foggy memory that she only recently regained.
So, there was only one thing left for her to say. Just three words that would mean very much to him and to her as well.
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'I forgive you.'
Not the other three words, those… she would have to gather more courage to say that to him at a later date, when she decided that he was indeed the one.
'Takahara…'
He has remained silent while she was arranging her thoughts and he seemed surprised and relieved at the same time at hearing her confident but soft reply.
'You did… some horrible things to me by leaving me alone. But you did wonderful things as well when we were together, whether alone or together with all of us. I… forgive you, Keima-kun.
Because I think, and I believe that… you are sincere in your words, sincere in your words of not wishing to hurt me, or anyone else… and most importantly…'
She lowered her head as she muttered softly, face red from having to say that to him.
'I believe what you said… of you meaning to watch over me, protecting me… thinking about me… is the truth. Will you, continue to do that even now?'
Hinting about something beneath her words, Takahara Ayumi leaned closer to the Capturing God as he crossed his arms and looked back at her.
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'I promised… I will do that, to the 2B Pencils, and to you, Takahara… Even if nothing might come out of it in the end, I will still not give up on all of you. It is… not real love, but I will do anything for you.'
His last words made her feel a disappointed, but she still rallied her feelings with a wide smile when Katsuragi Mari called them over to help serve up the food. Feelings can change, things can never say definite… and that meant she still had a chance!
'We will see, Keima-kun!'
Grabbing his hand, Takahara Ayumi pulled him along as she raced to the kitchen where her friends and rivals awaited!
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'Hai~'
Passing a bowl of rice to Ayumi on behalf of Mari-san, Kosaka Chihiro found herself a little overwhelmed by the atmosphere. She had never experienced a family meal like this for a long time, or even ever at that.
These past few days with Katsuragi Keima and his sister had changed her perspective about life once again. For as long as she remembered, she had gone through life like a normal girl.
Not standing out, and feeling contented with staying that way, as the saying goes: "If it isn't brokne, why fix it?", she had no ambition and zero hope that she could break that deadlock of being normal.
And for a very very long time, she had been content that way… until her chance and freak meeting with Katsuragi Keima.
The boy could be said to be similar to her and not similar to her at the same time… but what most stood out about him was his words and what he told her that day.
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'You can do it. If it's Chihiro, then certainly you can do it… Reality is no match for you. If you ever get stuck again, I'll be there to help you.'
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She had felt energized and hopeful that perhaps she could stand out a little too, to show others that she was different. Perhaps one metaphor that could be used to describe her was that she was like the Ugly Duckling.
Wishing, hoping, wanting to stand out… even just a little among her peers.
That was then, her energy and enthusiasm along with the promise from the boy had made her seem like she could conquer the world.
Reality though, was much harsher than that and she found herself losing steam after barely cobbling a band together.
They had tried their best, but their enthusiasm was dented with numerous failures… what made it worse was the feeling that the boy would not keep his promise.
But now he was back and Chihiro found herself being able to believe again in her own ability and her own desire to shine. It might just be a fluke, and he might run away again, but for now… it was alright for her to believe in herself once again, right?
She had forgiven and accepted him after all…
It had been a while since she had been focused in anything at all, and she found herself wondering then if this was the sense of accomplishment that Ayumi felt every time she finished her race.
That feeling of joy and exhilaration that she would get every time they ended a practice session, how it felt so good despite the sweat, grime and the sore throat from her singing.
But now, only after Katsuragi Keima returned to help, offering his assistance did Chihiro really realize how happy she felt in a group.
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Chihiro really could not call herself a special person, but she could not help but find her family to be a little mundane and… not like a family at all.
Seeing Elsi with Keima made her feel a little jealous of their relationship as she did not share that kind of close bond with her parents and family. She did not come from a dysfunctional family, just a very normal one…
Simply put, they weren't that close and Chihiro found herself relying on her close friends more often than not, calling them to chat and going out with them turned out to be the norm and a comfort to her from the lonely nights that she would spend in her room.
But now that they had presumably bonded together like sisters, Chihiro felt like her life up till now had been in black and white… and that her life was now only beginning to be filled with color.
She did not know how much fun it was to be with her close friends; just simply talking to them made her day brighter.
Yes, Ayumi and Miyako had been her good friends before then… but there had been a wall between them that they were not able to break… and Chihiro had been only been able to speak to them about the most trivial and random things.
Topics under the sun that were interesting enough to draw responses… but now, it was different and Chihiro found herself being able to feel happy just being in their company.
It did not matter what they talked about, she felt engaged into their conversation, felt like she belonged with them and she had a stake, a say to what they are talking about as well.
It was a wonderful feeling… and she found herself agreeing to the saying:
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Friends, are the people that you can spend time doing nothing with, and feel happy about that.
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More than anything else, she had found true friends, found her passion with his help, his guidance… and Kosaka Chihiro found her face turning redder then ever as she sat directly opposite the boy who made it all happen.
The one who lit the spark in her life, to enable her to live life fully, the way she wanted it.
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Of course Katsuragi Mari was happy, she could not be happier meeting her darling son's friends, and for all of them to sit around the table made her feel a warmth that she had not felt since her husband left on that business trip.
'Eat up, everyone~"
With that, everyone tucked into the food that she and Elsi prepared. She had felt bad that the guests needed to help but in the end it was only with their help that they were able to finish in time for dinner.
After all, it would not do for them to keep them too late and Mari dug in as well after seeing Keima, ever the slow eater begin to eat without his gaming console today.
It made her doubly happy that Keima was not playing his games at all, and she recognized the positive influence that the girls were having on him. It would be nice to have him back in 'reality' again as opposed to getting lost in his games.
She had given up on her being able to make him give up his games. Indeed it would be a miracle for him to do so, but he had placed it aside, even if only momentarily, to join in dinner with all of them.
'Eat more, Keima-kun~"
Pushing some food into his bowl, Keima nodded but seemed a little flustered when Elsi did the same.
'Elsi…'
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'Eheh~ Kami-Onii-sama mustn't pick on his food.'
Smiling happily as she started eating herself, the dinner table was quite quiet until Chihiro broke the dike and started praising Mari-san about the food.
'Mari-san, you're super incredible! I knew that you cooked very well, but this is much much better than what I had last time!'
'Oh dear, you're making me blush~'
'Hai hai~~ Ohka-sama is a very good chef! She's the owner of Café Grampa after all~ she's very popular here~'
Singing praises about Mari, the two girls were interrupted when Miyako spoke up, looking at Chihiro curiously.
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'Ano, did Chihiro-chan come here before?'
It was news to her as well as Ayumi, as they thought that this were all their first time visiting Elsi and by extension, Keima's home that they were shocked to hear that Chihiro was here before.
Well, they had thought that Mari-san had met Chihiro with Elsi somewhere and invited her over but never did they imagined that Chihiro had been here before them.
'Ahaha~ I was here a few days ago… visiting Elsi-chan.'
Chihiro knew that it was probably a good idea to keep what happened that day a secret… Elsi had been very upset that day and well, it was no good digging up the past when it wouldn't do any good at the moment.
'Oh…'
Sounding a little suspicious, Ayumi nonetheless did not spoil the mood by saying anything, and continued digging in; while Miyako and Chihiro stirred up the atmosphere by chatting about the recent TV shows that they watched and about food that they wanted to try.
All of which engaged the entire table save for Keima, who was occupied with his PFP as he had just gotten a mail from someone very special, Nakagawa Kanon, and he thought for a moment before opening the mail.
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'Good Evening, Keima-kun, how are you? I'm doing fine and I'm working hard with my dance routines as well today. The instructor says that I've improved greatly and I'll be doing my first dance and singing solo at the Mai-High Festival~ I'm sure it will be very exciting! I hope to see you there attending my concert too!
Say hello to Elsi-chan for me, I will send an autographed Single CD to her soon! I hope that I will have the chance to see you on the day of the audition for the Festival as well, Keima-kun!
– Love, Nakagawa Kanon
P.s: Oh, Keima-kun… it's the weekend soon desho? C-Can I be selfish and ask to see you over the weekend?'
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Sounding more like a letter one would send to a pen-pal, with the exception of the tiny note at the end, Keima nonetheless took it in stride; as he considered how to reply the message. Usually in games there would be a fixed amount of lines that were available to choose from, one that is neutral, one that is beneficial and one that will actually hurt the relationship.
In real life however, one didn't have such luxury, so and he would have to pen it delicately, not hinting nor discouraging Kanon at all. Should he actually meet up with her in the weekend? Common sense dictated no, but as he had been showing quite the cold shoulder to her, perhaps it would be alright… just this once.
Just as he was ready to reply back to her, Keima heard the doorbell ring and he got up to get the door. It would give him some privacy as well, which would be perfect for sending this message out.
However, he was a little surprised that they were getting any visitors and so he quickly headed to the door, wondering who it was.
'Oh…'
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It was Haqua and she looked a little pissed at seeing him at the door.
'What's wrong… are you expecting someone else? Kanon, perhaps?'
Dryly asking him as she pushed her way in, Haqua paused when she saw the number of shoes in the shoe rack and she raised an eyebrow while stating the truth to him.
'Building a harem?'
'Whatever you say, Haqua.'
Of course, Keima was used to Haqua being vicious with her words, but lately she seemed to be even more so, targeting him in places that he was unable to retort back due to him currently being in a mission.
'I hope you have been taking care of Elsi, Katsuragi… I won't forgive you a second time.'
Picking up the scythe that she had left resting against the rack, Haqua accompanied him back to the dinner table and she bowed to all of them politely.
'I'm sorry for intruding…'
'Please, sit down, Haqua, you're a guest~ Will Keima-kun serve some water to her, please?'
Asking him politely, Mari just smiled weakly when Haqua crossed her arms and sat down on Keima's chair, pushing his bowl away while pulling a stool for him to sit on instead.
'I would like some cold drinks please~ More with the ice, Keima~~'
Ordering him around, Haqua smirked when Mari didn't actively stop her as she just chided her for ordering Keima like that. It seemed that Mari really valued the guests to their household that much and Keima sighed, knowing that he would had to keep this up for quite some time; he has to show proper respect to the guests after all.
But he hoped that they don't push the envelope too much… everyone has their breaking point after all.
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Author's Notes: Oh, if you get the references, you get a cookie. And a promise to update faster and play less Catherine =) Lastly, I'm releasing this without the final stamp of approval from dongaro, so expect a few minor changes here and there.