Thank you for your kind reviews.
I apologize for the long delay, finding time to write scenes has been difficult due to the pile of work that I need to do.
I am struggling to write how Takagi and Nishikata would act after the hospital since now the situation have evolved into something that is not covered by the manga. Do tell me if you think that my interpretation is way off mark.
By the way I just found out that most middle school in Japan still serve lunch inside each class. I guess I just have to assume that this particular school is the exception. From reading the manga, I also found out that both Takagi and Nishikata bring their phone to school though I doubt that they are allowed to use it class, maybe only during period break. Also the manga did have a chapter on Takagi visiting Nishikata's room, so my earlier assumption is wrong.
Our teacher had given a few final words before the bell rang indicating that the period was over. Almost all students rose out of their seat and most of them promptly head out for lunch while some lingered and talked. However, I choose to stay seated, having brought my own lunch. Instead, I go over my notes, highlighting the points that I thought important and adding side notes on points that I need to add more detail later.
"Takagi-san ... ?", a timid voice interrupted my work.
I looked up and saw Mano approached me.
"Yes, Mano-san", I raised my eyebrow in question.
"Are you not going to buy lunch ?", Mano asked.
"I brought a bento", I answered.
Mano smiled when she heard my answer. "Me too ... Can I eat with you ?"
I nodded in reply, while I cleared my desk. Mano dragged the chair in front of me to the side to push the table against mine. Then she returned to her desk to grab her lunch box.
"So ... what did you bring ?", I tried to make small talk.
"I make Yakisoba and some tamagoyaki", Mano timidly answered while she uncovered her lunch box.
"Really ? I never make Yakisoba. Is it hard to cook ?", I asked while opening my own box.
"It is the only thing I can cook", Mano answered somewhat embarrased. "Wow ... fried rice, meat and karagee. Did you cook those yourself, Takagi-san ?", Mano stared at my dish.
"Karage and meat are leftover from what my mother bought", I explained. "Fried rice is also the only thing I can cook", I added.
We had stared at each other before we started laughing. It felt refreshing to be able to admit that you are not that good at cooking and knowing that the other is just as bad.
"Itadakimasu ...", both of us muttered before we started to dig in.
"Do you still see Nakai ?", I asked Mano as I took a bite at one of the karagee.
Mano nodded and blushed but offered not audible reply. Lucky her to still be able to pursue her love even in different class.
"Would you like to go and visit Nishikata ?", Mano suddenly asked.
I stopped chewing and stared at Mano in confusion.
"Nakai said he wanted to visit Nishikata this Saturday. He asked me to come, and I thought I would invite you too", Mano muttered.
"I don't think that I should intrude on your date", I frowned.
"It's not a date", Mano exclaimed. " ... and I am still not used to be alone with him on weekends ...", she added in a softer tone.
I smiled at Mano's timidness. "I am sure you will be fine", I assured her.
'It would be nice to see Nishikata again', I sighed inwardly.
"Have Nakai asked Nishikata if he can visit ?", I frowned while to take a mouth full of rice.
"I think so", Mano nodded while also continuing to eat
"And Nishikata agreed ?", my frown deepened. Mano just nodded while biting a piece of egg.
'Nishikata talked to Nakai ... But why won't he reply to my question ?'. I felt relieved knowing that he did not totally shut everybody out but also sad that he purposely avoided me.
"Come with me after school to talk to Nakai. You can ask him about Nishikata", Mano offered.
I smiled and nodded at her offer.
"Is it all right if I come along ?", I asked Mano as we walked out of the classroom. "I don't want to intrude on your time with Nakai", I added.
"It's fine", Mano smiled as we cleared the stairs. "You wanted to ask about Nishikata, right ?", she looked back at me as we approached the shoe locker.
While I am glad for a chance to get some answers, I am also somewhat disturbed at how easy it is for Mano and Yukari to see that Nishikata is important to me.
'Am I really that obvious ?', I thought to myself.
"I never said anything about Nishikata ...", I tried to protest as I meet Mano at the front door.
"Sitting at the front, I only saw you in the morning", Mano turned to me. "These last few days you got in early, but you just sat there staring at the window", she continued. "You looked sad and never talk to anyone else unless spoken to", she added.
"I have a lot of things on my mind", I muttered.
"Then visiting Nishikata should make you feel better, right ?", Mano smiled and walked out.
'I sure hope so', I replied in silent.
Mano lead the way to a convenience store near the school but then she turned to the small road beside it. She continued down the road and turned left, where it led to the back of the store. This back entrance have a few tables with some chairs around each one. At the far end there are two wooden benches.
"Do you come here often ?", I asked while taking a look around the empty yard.
"Sometimes, when I don't have club activity", Mano answered as she sat on one of the benches.
Since the bench can probably accommodate four people, I took a seat on the right side to Mano, who sat in the middle.
"Is it always this empty ?", I wonder as the back door of the convenience store opened and someone stepped out.
"Usually there is at least someone else here", Mano shrugged.
Suddenly Mano smiled as she saw Nakai walking towards us. Carrying a can on each hand, Nakai headed to Mano's left side.
"Takagi-san, do you want anything to drink ? I can go back to the store and buy them for you", Nakai offered as he gave one of the cans to Mano.
I shook my head in reply and scooted towards the edge of the bench to give Mano and Nakai more room.
"Did you ask her ?", Nakai asked Mano as he popped his can open.
Mano nodded in reply. "She wanted to confirm that you have asked Nishikata", she added.
"I did", Nakai gave a short answer.
"And he agreed ? No argument ?", I frowned in confusion.
"He argued ... a lot", Nakai chuckled. "Saying he is tired, that he has theraphy ... but I insist that we won't be long", Nakai shrugged.
Theraphy ... I guess thats an alternative word for rehabilitation.
"Wait a minute ... did you say we ?", I widened my eyes in surprise. "As in you and the other boys ?", I added to clarify.
Nakai shook his head. "I meant Mano and me ... and probably you", he explained.
"But you did not mention any names ?", I glared at him.
"Well ... not really", Nakai answered some what embarrassed. "I will ask him right now", he exclaimed while taking out his phone. "Can I, Mano and Takagi came to see you this Saturday ?", he muttered as he typed.
"So ... will you come with us ?", Mano asked.
Should I ? There is a lot of thinks that I wanted to ask Nishikata but with Nakai and Mano I don't think that I could ask those questions. On the other hand, just to see him in getting better would be a huge relief.
"IF ... Nishikata said okay, then I will come", I finally answered.
"And if he said no ?", Nakai asked again. "I planned to go anyway regardless of his answer", he added.
How does he plan to find Nishikata's room ? Unless he had visited before.
"Have you visited Nishikata before ?", I asked.
"Once", Nakai replied, taking a sip from his can.
"Only once ? But I thought you frequently message him ?", I tried to confirm.
"Once a day can hardly be counted as frequent", Nakai chuckled.
Really ? I think Nishikata's phone usually chimed at least twice during each of my previous visits.
A beep from Nakai's phone interrupted us. Nakai looked down to read something on his phone
"Nishikata said yes", Nakai said. He also turned his phone's display towards me so I can verify Nishikata's answer.
'All right, but be quick' the text said.
"Well, I guess I should be going then", I stood up.
"Ano ... Shouldn't we decide where to meet and what to bring ?", Mano suddenly blurted.
Right ... I forgot about that.
"Are you sure that Nishikata has returned home ?", I asked Nakai for the second time.
"Yes, Takagi-san. He messaged me yesterday", Nakai answered. "Would you like to see the message ?", he asked in return.
I shook my head and refrain from speaking any further. Instead, I followed Nakai and Mano as they lead the way to Nishikata's home. Yes, I know where Nishikata's home is but I would like to avoid revealing that information.
Hence, I choose to walk behind them while organizing my thought and feelings. Nishikata's home is uncharted territory for me. Even if I have been there before, I have no idea what or who I will encounter right now.
'I hope Nishikata's mom is not home', I can feel my stomach churning from that stray train of thought.
'I hope I can find a private time to give Nishikata these study guides', unconsciously I tightened my grip on the large bag that I am carrying.
'I wonder if Nishikata has told anyone that we had been studying together', I sighed while imagining how Yukari's gleeful reaction if she heard such news.
While I would do anything to have Nishikata sitting next to me again, the recent class arrangement and news about his rehabilitation make me wonder if there is some sort of divine intervention that is determined to keep us apart.
'Kami-sama, does my suffering delight you', my heart shouted in protest.
I half expect a roar of thunder or a gust of tornadoes to come and hit me but no such incident happened.
"Takagi-san ... we have arrived", Nakai interrupted my wallowing train of thought.
"So ... do we ring the bell or call Nishikata ?", I asked Nakai for our next action.
"Nishikata cannot open the door for us ... so ...", Nakai pushed the gate and walked inside. Then Nakai waked in and opened the front door as well.
"His mom left both doors unlocked ?", I frowned in confusion.
"His mom left a key with the old lady across the street. Nishikata call her and ask her to unlock both doors", Nakai shrugged.
"Pardon our intrusion ... Nishikata ?", Nakai shouted.
"Come in ...", Nishikata shouted back.
Nakai took the lead and stepped inside, then we all took off our shoes and out on the guest slippers before proceeding. Immediately we saw Nishikata sitting in the living room with the TV turned on but the volume lowered down.
"Hi Nakai ... Takagi-san ... Mano-san", Nishikata greeted each of us in turn.
"We brought oranges ... do you want some ?", Mano said.
"Sure ... Do you need plates ? The kitchen's over there", Nishikata pointed farther back.
"I'll get them", Mano put down the bag and headed toward the kitchen.
"I think my mother left a pitcher of tea in the fridge, you are fine with tea, right ?", Nishikata asked.
"I'll help Mano", I said to Nakai before leaving him alone with Nishikata.
It took several tries but Mano and I managed to find plates and glasses as well as a tray. I put several of them on the tray and return to the living room while Mano took the tea pitcher out of the fridge.
"Yeah, that really sucks", Nakai nodded to whatever Nishikata is asking. Both boys paused their conversation as Mano and I arrange everything on the table. Gingerly Nishikata took an orange and began to peel it.
"So ... any idea when are you going to go home ?", I asked the very first thing on my mind. Nakai and Mano widened their eyes in disbelief.
Yeah ... probably should not have asked that but I got tired of walking on egg shells.
"... I don't know ...", Nishikata replied in a sombre tone. "Depend on the therapy I guess", he added.
"Is the therapy hard ?", Mano asked in a timid tone.
"They massage your leg and feet to prep the muscle, then made me walk between two horizontal bars", he muttered.
"That did not sound too hard", Nakai chimed in.
"... I only manage two steps before collapsing", Nishikata replied.
"It only the first time, right ?", Nakai tried to cheer Nishikata.
"Twice already ... barely last five minutes", Nishikata muttered.
"Well ... the pain can't be that bad, right ?", again Nakai tried to cheer Nishikata.
"... You won't understand ...", Nishikata muttered sullenly.
Nishikata is right, none of us has undergone therapy before. We would not know what it felt like.
"Tell us", I blurted out. "Please make us understand how much it hurt", I pleaded.
Nishikata pondered for a few moments. "Nakai, remember when the P.E teacher punished us with a hundred squat ?"
Nakai nodded. "I remember my legs shaking afterwards. Could not even walk home", he chuckled.
"Now you understand why I am not keen to do that again", Nishikata explained.
"But if you don't do theraphy then you can't go home ?", Mano intervened.
"I guess you are right ... but I can't seem to find the energy to go through", Nishikata sighed.
Silence reigned as each of us ponder about Nishikata's conundrum. We took our time sipping at our tea while we wait for the answer to present itself.
"What about a competition ... Nakai versus Nishikata ?", I offered a solution. "For each minute Nishikata's therapy last, Nakai will do a set number of squats".
"Why me ? Why not you, Takagi-san ?", Nakai frowned.
"Are you not man enough to do it, Nakai ?", I smirked.
"I'll do it if you do it as well", Nakai shot back.
"Are you asking a girl to do a physical challenge ?", I glared at Nakai.
"Please ... stop arguing", Nishikata interrupted our argument. "I appreciate the idea but I don't want to force to go through that pain every three days".
"Yeah ... sorry", Nakai mumbled.
"Errm ... can I use your bathroom ?", Mano asked in a timid voice.
"Sure ... it's inside that bedroom", Nishikata pointed to a door in front of him.
After Mano disappeared inside said room, Nakai inched closer to Nishikata and whispered. "Is there a second bathroom ?"
"Take the stairs, first door to your left", Nishikata chuckled.
After Nakai climbed said stair, Nishikata turned to me. "Do you need to use the bathroom too ?", he raised his eyebrow.
Instead, I took the large bag that I carried. "Additional study guide, where do you want to hide it ?".
"Can you pull out the bottom of that ?", Nishikata pointed to where I am sitting.
I stood and feel along the bottom for any hand hold. Finding one, I give it a pull. Out glide a long drawer with manga and magazines inside. I took everything inside the bag and shove it into the drawer. Thankfully they all fit, and I can push the drawer back without anything sticking out.
"Can you study them in your own ?", I asked. "I don't think your mother wanted me to come over every other day like in the hospital", I frowned.
"Yeah ... sorry I did not reply to any of your message", Nishikata sighed.
"But you are okay, right ? I mean aside from the rehabilitation ...", I gently probed.
"Therapy sucks ... but everything else is fine ... I guess", Nishikata shrugged.
"How about a wager then ?", I tucked a stray strand of hair and titled my head.
"Are you trying to tease me ?", Nishikata narrowed his eyes in suspicion.
I am about to reply when I notice the bedroom door opening. "Message me ... please", I whispered. Nishikata just nodded but said nothing.
Mano come out and re-took her seat. Minuted later Nakai climbed down and our conversation resumed once again. Nishikata munched the rest of his orange and we sipped our drink. Mano even offered to wash the glasses which Nishikata reluctantly agreed. Once again I joined Mano in the kitchen, leaving Nakai to converse with Nishikata.
"I guess this is time we leave then", Nakai sighed as we stood. "Do I need to go across the street and tell the old lady to come over ?", he asked.
"If you don't mind ...", Nishikata answered.
"I will go with you", Mano offered.
"Sorry Nakai, but can I go ahead first ?", I interrupted.
Receiving a nod from Nakai, I collected my bag and rushed to the foyer. After putting on my school and quickly checking that I have left nothing behind, I opened the door and walked out. As I pass the gate, I took a glance to the house in front of me. Luckily the old lady is nowhere to be seen.
"I hope she does not reveal anything to Nakai", I grumbled as I walked down the road.
As I enter my room, I walked toward my desk and grabbed the topmost sketch paper. Briefly I take note of what is written there before glancing at the clock by my bedside table.
"Nearly seven. Should I continue after dinner ?", I pondered.
A beep from my phone distracted my decision. I glanced over the notification screen and saw Nishikata's name. Quickly I grabbed the phone for a closer look.
"Are you busy ? I would like to confirm what you said earlier today", Nishikata asked in his message.
"Which one ?", I smiled as I typed my reply.
"Something about a wager ?", Nishikata posted his reply.
"What kind of bet do you want to make ?", I asked Nishikata another question.
"What do you mean ?", Nishikata asked.
"I wanted to make a bet about how long your recovery period would last. Are you comfortable with that ?"
"No! I am not", Nishikata send me an angry face.
"Even if you can decide the condition ?", I tried to calm Nishikata down.
"Please explain in detail", Nishikata replied.
"Can you ask your therapist an estimate on when you can return to school ? We can use that estimate to make our bet", I typed my explanation.
For a while there is no reply, forcing me to ponder whether or not I pushed Nishikata too far.
"I will ask", Nishikata finaly send his reply.
I let out a relieved sigh as I read the message. A knock on my door interrupted my dilemma.
"Yui, dinner is ready", my mother's voice chimed in.
"I'm coming Mom", I shouted back.
"Please let me know as soon as possible", I typed in before putting down the phone.
"Takagi-san ...", I lifted my eyes and saw Mano approaching. She raised the lunch box on her hand in a silent question.
"Let me tidy this first", I sighed as I began collecting text books and notes scattered on my desk.
After I put everything in my bag, I looked up and found Mano have pushed the desk in front of me flush against my desk. She sat down and began unwrapping her lunch box.
As for me, I simply take a triangular package from my lunch bag and tore open the wrapper.
"Itadakimasu ..." I mumbled before taking a bite.
"Would you like some ?", Mano paused before taking a spoonful. "I doubt one onigiri would be enough for you."
"I have two more", I nodded toward my lunch bag. "You can make fried rice too ?", I widened my eyes as I notice the content of Mano's lunch box.
Mano took a mouthful and slightly grimaced. "It's my first try", she explained after swallowing.
Wow ... maybe I should ask her how to make yakisoba.
"Anyway ... did you and Nakai managed to spent time after visiting Nishikata ?", I tried to change the topic.
"We walked to the station together", Mano muttered. "That's okay, I can see him every day at school", she shrugged.
Yeah ... I used to think the same about Nishikata ... until the accident happened.
"That's nice ... you need to make use of that opportunity while you still can", I encourage Mano, who just nodded in reply.
"Did Nishikata contact you afterwards ?", Mano suddenly ask.
"No ... why ?", I frowned in suspicion.
'Did something happen after I leave ?', I thought while reaching for the second onigiri.
"Nakai is thinking to challenge Nishikata ... like you suggested when we visit", Mano sighed. "I don't know whether to talk him out or encourage him."
"Well ... Nishikata seemed to be uncomfortable about it", I grimaced. "Maybe he really hates theraphy ?", I added.
"Yeah ... if we can somehow find something that Nishikata love more than his hathred ...", Mano added in doubtful tone.
'Something that Nishikata love ... Would 100% Unrequited Love qualify ?', I pondered while reaching for the last piece.
"Maybe Nakai know about it ?", I suggest to Mano.
"I'll ask him", Mano nodded in reply.
Mano looked down to find her lunchbox empty when the school bell rang. With a sigh she started tidying up and I follow suit.
"I have asked my therapist. He said that if I attend each session and willing to do my best the entire time then he estimate about one month before I can walk with crutches", Nishikata message said.
"So, do you think you can do it ?", I typed my reply.
"I am not even sure I wanted to go to the next session", Nishikata's reply popped out.
'What can I do ? Something that Nishikata wanted""
"Let's say you win the bet, what do you want me to do ?", I typed. "Nothing perverted of course", I added before sending it.
'I wonder what his answer will be ...', I patiently waited.
"I want you to stop teasing me", Nishikata's reply finally came.
"But I already stopped", I added a crying face before sending.
"I am pretty sure that you will continue", came his answer.
Well ... he is not totally wrong ... once I figure out how to safely tease him I would probably continue to do so. I guess Nishikata really hated me teasing him.
"How about one day free of teasing for each therapy session", I offered.
'Hopefully that will be enough to persuade him to go to therapy', I sighed
"Two", came his succinct reply.
Two days ! I can only talk to him during the trips to and from school plus maybe on breaks after periods.
"One plus I lent you the last two issues of 100% Unrequited Love", I typed in my counter offer.
"Will you come over and help me study ?", came Nishikata's reply.
"Do you want me to ?", I tried to push the decision back to Nishikata.
"Can you bring them when you come ?", Nishikata asked instead.
'Why does he keep on answering my question with another question ?', I frowned.
"Will you accept one day per session ?", I tried again.
"I want two", came his decision.
Arghh ! Why is he so stubborn. I took a deep breath to calm myself.
I doubt he has therapy every day, most likely every two or three days. That means ten to fifteen sessions in a month, right ?
"How many sessions will you have in a month ?", I asked just to be sure.
With two days for each session then it would be twenty to thirty days of no teasing.
"I think about 10", Nishikata's reply finally came.
"If you can be back in school in the next 30 days then you can have 20 days of free teasing", I typed in my offer.
"What if it takes more than 30 days ?", Nishikata asked.
'Then you will have to endure my teasing everyday for the rest of your life', I cackled with glee.
"I can't say that to Nishikata, he will probably refuse", I sighed. "I need to make sure that he accepts"
"Then you will only have one day of free teasing for each session", I typed in my answer. "But no more than 20 days", I quickly added.
"I accept if you come and help me study", Nishikata replied. "No teasing while studying", he quickly added.
'Damn ... looks like I don't get to tease Nishikata no matter what happened', I let out a frustrated groan.
But at least I got him to agree to go to therapy ... yeah ... mission complete !
I took out my phone as I arrived at Nishikata's house and read the last message I got from him.
'Sorry Takagi, would you mind studying at my neighbour's house ? Mom said not to allow you inside if she is not around', Nishikata said with an apologizing sticker.
"I wonder if his mother will ever trust me", I sighed.
"Should I knock ?", I muttered to myself as I turned towards the old lady's house.
"Excuse me !", I tried to shout.
"Ara ... young girl ... you are very punctual", the old lady smiled as she looked out of her door. "Come in, the door's unlocked", she added.
With a shrug, I pushed the gate open and closed it again behind me.
"Pardon for the intrusion", I muttered as I stepped inside the house.
"Hey, Takagi ... in here", Nishikata called.
I walked farther back and found him sitting by in front of a dining table that sit four people. A large sliding door leading to the backyard brought plenty of light into the room.
"Sit down, let's begin", Nishikata gestured towards the chair in front of him.
I approached the table, but drag the chair to make it perpendicular to Nishikata. He raised an eyebrow at my action.
"It's easier to teach you this way", I shrugged.
"No teasing", Nishikata rolled his eyes.
Strangely there is no blush adorning his cheek. Has Nishikata developed some sort of immunity towards the opposite gender ?
"Yeah ... I know", I mimicked his gesture in return.
Taking out the memory aide, I put them with my pencil case on the table and put my bag on the floor. Then I sat down and took a deep breath.
"So ... where shall we start ?", I tilted my head.
Nishikata slide his math textbook to me. "Can you explain this one ?", he pointed to a formula in the top of the page.
"Let's see ...", I muttered as I take out a pencil and began scratching some calculation on a blank piece of paper.
And so on it went, after I explain one type of formula, Nishikata would then try to solve some question. Then we continue to the next type until we reach the end of the next page.
"Young girl ... is tea all right with you ?", the old lady called from the nearby kitchen and broke the routine.
"Yes, thank you", I answered back. "Let me help you", I stood and walked toward her.
The old lady prepared a tray with one teapot and two ceramic glasses. There are also two long plates with three daifuku on each. Carefully I hoist the tray and bring it to the table. Afterwards, I poured the pot into one of the glasses.
"Do you want some tea ?", I asked Nishikata while still holding the pot.
"Yes, please", Nishikata answered while still working on his textbook.
Dutifully I filled the other glass as well before putting down the pot. I put one on my side of the table while placing the other in front of Nishikata.
"Thank you", Nishikata muttered with his eyes still glued to his textbook and his hand scribbling continuously.
While sitting down to sip on my tea. I leaned back with my chin resting on the palm of my right hand. With my right elbow supporting my head, I gazed intently at Nishikata.
As if sensing my attention, Nishikata suddenly stopped.
"What is it ?", he frowned while looking back at me.
"I miss that look on your face", I smiled.
"You just couldn't stop teasing, could you", Nishikata shook his head.
"It's a fact ... so I am not teasing", I countered.
"Yeah ... whatever", Nishikata just shrugged before turning back to work on his textbook.
Hmm ... he calmly replied to me ... no sign of any blush and just shrug it off. Definitely different from how he used to react.
"Ne ... Nishikata", I said as I stood forward and leaned down, bringing my face close to his.
Nishikata slightly jolted in surprise as he looked at me. "You are too close, Takagi", he said as he pushed his chair back to give some distance between our faces.
"You are not blushing anymore", I point out. "What happened ?", I asked.
Nishikata bring up his textbook in front of his face, "Please help me with this", he pointed to a set of equations on the next page.
I reached out and put my right hand on top of Nishikata's hand that is holding the textbook.
"Mou ... lighten up a bit, will you", I pouted as I pushed down, bringing the textbook to the table.
'Calm down ... this is just a test', I chanted to distract myself from the feeling of Nishikata's hand under my palm.
Nishikata retracted his hand out of my grip. "Since you obviously cannot stop teasing me, how about we just stop our deal ?", he stared hard at me.
Damn ... I forgot about the therapy deal. No therapy means no Nishikata so that is bad for me.
"All right, I will stop", I sighed in defeat while I grabbed the textbook and began my explanation.
As he listened, Nishikata smiled and took a sip from his glass of tea. His smile somehow put my mood in further decline.
I have my first taste of defeat. It is a bitter taste and looks like the first of many more to come.
"... young girl it's going to be dark soon", the old lady called out, bringing our study session to a halt.
"She is right, you should go home", Nishikata added after looking at the nearest clock.
Nodding in agreement I began to tidy up. As I open my bag, I noticed the two books I left inside.
"Nishikata ...", I called out to get his attention as slightly I pulled out both books to show him.
"Ah, thank you", Nishikata smiled. "Suzue-san already knows", he added.
Letting out a sigh of relief, I slide both books across the table towards Nishikata.
"Thank you for your help and sorry I could not walk you to the door", Nishikata grimaced.
"That's fine", I smiled as a sliver of question popped into my mind. "Will your mother come and pick you up ?", I asked.
Nishikata pointed to a folded wheelchair at the corner of the room. "My mother has to do a lot of overtime to cover her absence during my treatment", he shrugged.
Nishikata's answer sparked another train of thought on my brain.
"Hey Nishikata, how you will go to school ?", I asked.
"I don't know ... maybe I will ask one of the boys to give me a ride ?", he trailled off in doubt. "Anyway ... you need to hurry", he suddenly added.
"Ah ! you are right", hurriedly I grabbed by belongings. "Suzue-san, thank you for having me", I called out, hoping that the old lady can hear me before rushing out.
However as I went home, one thing kept churning in my mind.
... I wonder if Nishikata will allow me to give him a ride ...
"... just ... a ... little ... more ...", I groaned in between pushing down on my legs.
I pulled my brake as I passed the gravel road leading to the park, bringing my bike to halt.
"Woah ...", I yelled as the bike tilted slightly to the side. Quickly I jumped down from my saddle to steady the handlebar.
"Gotcha", someone said behind me.
I looked back and saw Nomura holding the rear end of my bike.
I swing my right leg over so that I now stood facing my bike with my left hand on the handlebar and my right hand on the saddle. "Thank you for your help Nomura-san", I said afterwards.
"No problem", he smiled. "What are you carrying ?", he gestured towards the two boxes stacked on my rear rack.
"Old books and magazines", I answered while trying to turn my bike around.
Nomura let the rear end go but stayed close by.
"Are you bringing them to recycle center ?", he raised his eyebrow.
Should I say yes ? But then he might offer to walk with me there.
"Not really ...", I tried a vague answer as I pushed my bike forward. Nomura slightly tilted his head in response.
"I wanted to practice carrying heavy items," I shrugged while continuing to push my bike.
'Hopefully that is enough to appease him', I prayed.
Nomura seemed to mull over my answer as he kept on walking behind my bike.
'Come on ... leave me alone ...', I muttered.
"I could help you", Nomura said all the sudden.
I turned around and stared at him in disbelief. "What do you mean ?", I asked.
"You wanted to practice carrying someone on your bike, right ?", Nomura looked back at me.
"I said heavy items", I tried to counter.
"I can help you to balance the load, so you don't have to worry about tipping over like earlier", Nomura answered with a smile.
I give Nomura a look over. He has a thin built and somewhat taller than me. That means he should be slightly taller than Nishikata and probably also slightly heavier.
"How much time can you spare ?", I relented.
Nomura took out his phone. "Thirty minutes assuming we only went around here", he calculated.
I stopped my bike. "Help me to unload the boxes", I said.
Nomura slightly lifted the rear end of my bike, allowing me to engage the rear stand. Then he deftly unhooks the cord wrapped around the two boxes before lifting the top one and putting it down on the side of the road. Carefully I lifted the bottom one and put it on top of the other. Then I release the rear stand and took my position in front of the saddle.
I felt the bike shook slightly as Nomura took his position. "Ready", he signaled.
I pushed down hard on the pedal and felt the bike slightly inched forward. Quickly I put my other feet on the opposite pedal and pushed. As the bike started to move, I tried to exert more pressure on the pedal.
"Whooa !", I yelped as I felt myself titling sideways.
"I got you", Nomura snatched my shoulder, preventing me from falling.
"Thanks", I sighed in relief.
"No problem", Nomura replied. "Shall we try again ?", he inquired.
I nodded in reply before taking my position. This time I tried to not overdo myself as the bike crawled forward. I divided my focus between trying to keep the path straight and pushing on the pedals.
"Gah !", I cried as my feet slipped from the pedal.
Luckily Nomura managed to put both hands on my stomach in time while planting both feets on the ground.
"Thanks", I took a few deep breaths to calm myself.
"This is getting too dangerous", Nomura said. "I think we should stop."
"You are right", I let out a defeated sigh.
"Wait here", Nomura replied.
I felt Nomura stood up and moments later felt the bike slightly titled forward as the rear stand is engaged. I dismounted and turned around to see him approached me carrying both boxes.
"Do you think you can handle one ?", Nomura asked. "I will carry the other one for you", he offered.
"Don't you have something to do in ...", I peeked at my phone. " ... twenty-five minutes ?"
Nomura nodded. "Hopefully that is enough to walk you near your house ?", he shrugged as he put one box on the rear carrier of my bike and the other one on the ground.
"Let me know if we went the opposite direction to where ever it is you need to go", I said as I secured the box and pushed the bike forward.
It only took about fifteen minutes to walk from here to my house. As long as Nomura does not need to go to the opposite direction, there should be enough time.
"Is it Nishikata ?", Nomura suddenly asked. "The person that you wanted to carry ?", he added.
Is he a mind reader or am I really that obvious ?
"What will you do if I said that the person is you ?", I tried to deflect his question with another question.
"I am honored", he smiled. "But would rather you not do that", he winced.
"Why not ?", I pressed him for more detail.
"If someone from school saw us, they would think that I forced you to carry me", Nomura explained. "That would bring me a bad reputation"
I nodded, his explanation certainly make sense.
"But I don't mind carrying you if you sat in the back ...", Nomura trailed off.
Is he offering to give me a ride on my bike ? Or is he hinting at something else ?
"Is that your way of asking me out ?", I decided to ask him directly.
"Will you go out with me, Takagi-san ?", Nomura smiled.
Wow ... this guy is very confident ... a bit unusual for a middle schooler.
"Sorry ... not interested in a relationship", I smiled and turned him down.
"I see ...", Nomura gave a short reply.
I gave Nomura a quick glance. His kept a calm expression on his face, in fact his expression barely change. This guy has a good poker face ... unlike Nishikata ...
Damn it ... why do I have to be reminded of Nishikata right now.
"Ah ... I need to go the other way", Nomura exclaimed as we passed an intersection and I took the right turn.
Wordlessly I stopped, kicked on the bike rear stand and untie the line securing the box. Nomura put the other box on top and waited while I re-tied them to my rear rack.
"See you tomorrow at school", Nomura gave me a smile and start going to the left.
I kicked off my rear stand and gave the handlebar a determined push.
"Oh ... Takagi-san", Nomura suddenly called my name.
I turned around and saw him looking back at me.
"You might need to do some leg training ...", Nomura smiled. " ... so you can safely carry Nishikata", he added before turning around and walked away.
'Damn it ! Am I really that obvious ?', I grumbled as I pushed my bike along.
I think that I managed to covey most of the points I wanted. Hopefully in the next chapter we can finally see the fruit of Takagi's and Nishikata's labor. As usual, please tell me if you notice anything that I could improve.
I am not really sure when I can post the next chapter since right now I have very little clue on what to write. As I also have pointed out in the beginning, finding time to write is difficult. I do have a general idea on key points that should happen, but I don't have any scenes written so all of them need to be created from blank.