Akushi
Chapter 3
Two days would not be wasted, and Rena and I both agreed on that. We made sure that we got to spend as much time with Mion, Rika-Chan, and Satoko as possible before Rena and I took off to Takayama. We were going to be gone for two weeks after all. That's half of our summer vacation!
"You're really going to leave us hanging, Keiichi-San?" Satoko said. Her words sounded as if she didn't want me to leave, but the tone in her voice made it all clear that she was taunting me. She grew a sneer on her face. "I bet this last club activity scared him off. He's probably running away."
No way in hell would I run away from a club activity! I will curse you, Satoko for saying that. I will curse you and your future children!
Mion laughed at Satoko's "funny" comment. "How long will it be again? Two weeks? That's a long time!" I knew she was disappointed, even if her laugh was hiding it.
Don't they know that I'm doing this for Rena? She and I already explained to them the day after she invited me.
When I asked Mom and Dad, they were more than delighted. "I love that Rena-Chan," Mom had said. "She takes such good care of you, and I know you will be safe." As embarrassing as I felt hearing her say that, I was relieved to know I had her permission.
Dad smirked and embraced me with one arm over my shoulder. "This will be quite the experience!" I found that quite annoying.
Now me and my friends were at the toy store in Okinomiya where Mion had another game planned out. Her uncle owned the store, so he didn't mind us hanging around even if we weren't regular customers. I wasn't sure what Mion was up to, but if it was for the club, I was all for it.
"Meep, I'm sure Keiichi has a special mission in Takayama," Rika-Chan said. It's like she was there when Rena and I had the conversation. Although I'm not sure if "mission" is the term for it. But she was rooting for me.
"Keiichi-Kun will keep me company," Rena said. That was true. I will not let my friend down!
I peered up at the toy store. I was ready to end this conversation so we could get started on the club activity. So I instantly cleared my throat and pointed at the building. "Are we gonna do this?"
"Someone's eager," Mion said, "as usual. Let's go in!" She motioned us to follow her inside, and we immetally walked in.
It didn't seem too busy; only a few customers, specially parents with their children. That was good, because it meant they wouldn't disrupt our game, and wouldn't disrupt their shopping. I think I've been in this shop once or twice. I do remember the stuffed toys and the table top games.
I watched as a little boy was begging his mother to buy him a toy car. The car was ocean blue and it was very shiny, just like a real car. Every boy's dream. At his age, I would love to have my hands on that car.
It wasn't too long before Rena was going googly eyes all over the plushies. She did her best to keep her voice down as Mion spoke with her uncle. "I wanna take them all home with me!" Rena whispered loudly.
"Okay," Mion started as she walked up to us with her arms behind her head. "Uncle has the prize waiting."
"The prize?" Satoko asked. "What prize?"
Rika-Chan had her hands on her cheeks, looking quite excited as well, and Rena was squirming around, hoping it was something cute.
"Tell us, Mion!" I demanded.
Mion smiled. "The game is a scavenger hunt on three items. Each item has a red sticker on it. So we have to find the ones with the red sticker."
"Only three?" Satoko asked. She's right. There were five of us, so it didn't add up. What was Mion planning?
"We are going to divide up into groups," Mion explained. "Two groups. We drawl names. After we find the items, we have to pick another item that relates to each of the items we found."
"Ah, how interesting," Satoko said with a micheivious grin. She looked confident already.
"Relate to the original item, eh?" I said.
"For example," Rika-Chan said, obviously understanding the game, "the main item is a baseball. So you find a baseball rookie card."
"Exactally," Mion said.
"Auu, I hope I find a rookie card," Rena said, "it would be adorable!"
"Alright, let's drawl names!"
"What about the prize?" I asked. "What is it?"
"Uncle will show at the end."
I let out a groan, but didn't let my spirits fall and went for the drawing box. There was team one and team two. We each had to draw one or two. I got two. I looked to the others to see what they got. Rena got one, and so did Mion.
"I got two!" Satoko announced. "Rika?"
"Meep, I got one," she replied.
It was me and Satoko. I wasn't so sure how this was going to go down. We didn't exactally get along as well as me and Rena would, but she and I were still friends. So we could make it work. Even if we did pick on eachother. Afterall, Satoko was smart, especially with her tricks and panks. I was swift and clever. We could make a great team.
"Don't bring me down, Keiichi-San," Satoko said.
"I won't," I replied. "Besides." I leaned down to her and spoke softy in her ear. "I already know where to start looking for the first item."
She seemed caught off guard and stepped back. "What? Where?"
I gave a smug look. Right now Mion was talking to her uncle one more time, so that gave me a chance to explain to Satoko my ideas. "First off, we need to stay away from the stuffies," I said softly. They are a main item and too obvious."
Satoko crossed her arms. "Too obvious?"
"I noticed that when Rena got excited about them when we first got in here, Mion smirked at her. It was clear that it meant Rena wouldn't be getting anywhere near them." I'm so clever I could pat myself on the shoulder.
Satoko, however, didn't seem so sure. Perhaps, I needed to give her a little push. Or maybe a flick on the forehead. Nah, that would only make her cry. We didn't need that.
"That's an interesting theory," she said. "Very sneaky thinking for you." Little brat. "So where exactally should we start?"
"Something close, but very different. The plastic animal figures. Then the coloring books. It's comopletely different. I have this idea that Mion's uncle had everything completely different."
"You better be right." She then sneered. "Let's get 'em."
After Mion explained the rules, which were pretty much "No helping the other team", the game began, and Satoko and I dashed for the plastic animal isle. The other group didn't follow us, which meant they didn't know our theory.
There were so many different animals. Mammals, reptiles, birds, fish. The first thing Satoko went for was an empmoror penguin as tall as six inches. She picked it up and twirled it around to search for the red sticker, but nothing was there.
I just realized that this would take forever. But then I remembered that Mion said we only had five minutes to find the three items, which probably meant that the red sticker would be visible. So it should be easy to find.
I quickly went down the isle and searched with my eyes and hands. Horses, sharks, aligators, pandas, dinosaurs. Trisaratop with a red eye. Found it! "Satoko!" I picked it up and waved it at her.
"You were actually right!" Satoko said with emotion and took the figure from me. It was the color of red and grey. The craftmanship was very advanced. "Let's go to the coloring books!" She instantly ran to the art section of the store.
I went after her with a smile, glad that she trusted my judgment. If I was right about the coloring books, then this was going to be easy. And we were surely to win!"
"Hauauau! I found one!" That came from Rena, who was over in the doll isle. Disappointment grew inside me, and I could see the same on Satoko's face. But that didn't stop us from searching through the colorfuling books.
"Hurry Satoko!" I exclaimed.
"I am!" she said.
"Another in the teddy, Nipah!" Rika-Chan was holding a teddy bear in her arms. She looked so cute, and Rena didn't stop talking about how cute she looked.
Satoko stopped what she was doing and eyed me. I knew what she was thinking. She was thinking that I was a dumbass for thinking that the stuffed animals were an elimination of the game. Boy, was I wrong. Dammit! Dammit, dammit!
Satoko and I dragged ourselves over to Mion, Rena, and Rika-Chan, and showed our dinosaur item. Now, the only way we could win is if we found another item that matched what we had, and the others didn't find anything in under three minutes. It was not likely.
"We found a teddy bear and a doll," Mion said, "and you two found a dinosaur." She laughed. "We are a head!"
I peered around the store with my eyes to see if here was anything that we could get for our dinosaur figure, but I couldn't think of anything.
"Go!" Mion shouted, and we began the search. My spirits were starting to go down, and I was suddenly feeling like I was in that hole again. Why? I don't know. Because I was losing? Maybe not. Maybe it was because I didn't want to let Satoko down. Satoko. Where was Satoko?
I glanced over and saw that she was running toward the book shelf. I hurried after her as the other group gathered on the other side of the store in chatters. "Satoko?"
She was jumping up and down, trying to reach something on a high shelf that she couldn't reach. It was a book and on the front it said "The world of Dinosaurs". She knew! She knew this whole time!
By that time, Mion had found an item. I wasn't going to let me and Satoko's group hanging! I was tall enough, so I reached my arm up and took a hold of the book, and by the time and pulled it out, I heard a shriek of cheerful laugher. When I looked over my shoulder, the girls were huddled over and jumping up in down. They won.
I sighed and hung my head down in shame as I kept the book in my right hand. I didn't look up to see what Satoko was doing, but in seconds, I heard her run off to the other group. Perhaps she wasn't as upset as I thought. So I followed her, and we all went to the pay counter.
Mion, Rena, and Rika-Chan found a toy stroller for their doll, and another stuffed animal? What the hell? "Another stuffed animal? That's the same thing!"
Mion smirked. "It counts because a plushie can use a friend!"
"That's not fair!"
"Calm down, Kei-Chan. Let's see the prize!"
Mion's Uncle smiled excitedly and leaned down to pull something out from behind the counter. There were two big gift bags. One was black and one was blue.
"Why are there two?" Rena asked.
"The blue is for the winner," he said. "There is one main item, and a gift card for all the winners." Huh, I'm guessing that meant the losers got prizes too.
I watched as my friends began to boost up with energy, eager to get their hands in that bag. Mion didn't seemed surprised, but I'm sure she was just as excited as the others were. "Mion," I said, "did you know what's in there?"
Mion peered at me and gave a toothy grin. "I knew about the gift card," she said, "but I don't know what the main prize is. We have to decide who gets it."
"Well let's open it up!" Rena said as she bounced up and down with her hands folded together out in front of her. She looked like a child who was about to get on a pony ride. I couldn't help but chuckle. I was actually just as curious as she was. What was the prize?
Mion's uncle reached his into the gift bag and pulled out something folded that was made of cloth. I heard a few gasps from Rena and Rika-Chan, and as the man unfolded it, we all saw what looked to be a green long sleeved Victorian dress with ruffles that was long enough to reach the feet of whom ever would wear it.
"Hauu, it's so cute, I wanna take it home!" Rena squealed.
"Uncle," Mion said, "since when did we have those?" She looked very stunned.
"We are getting them next month," he replied, "but one of you get one early." It was way too big for Rika-Chan, so it had to be between Mion and Rena. Personally, I think it would look great on Rena, and she defeintally wanted it the most.
But something was telling me that Mion would want it too. Sure, she didn't seem like a girly girl like Rena, but there was always a different perspective on everyone.
However, I could see a lot of visions in Rena's eyes. I can imagine she wanted to take that dress to Takayama and show it to her aunt. But I'm sure she wouldn't say that out loud to make Mion feel guilty. Maybe if there was a way I could help.
I slowly narrowed my eyes over to Mion then looked back. Should I? Was it right to ask her to give it up? I don't know. But I do know that she was very concerned for Rena yesterday, so maybe this was a way to look out for her.
Again, I slowly rolled my eyes toward her, and in an instant oues eyes met. We stared for a bit and had one of our silent conversations. Mion, can Rena have it? She has to leave to, and perhaps she could take something with her. I think it would make Rena happy, and maybe Mion would agree.
After ten seconds, Mion's smile said it all. She nodded and turned to her uncle. "Give it to Rena, I think she would look great in it."
Rena gasped. "Really?! Thank you, Mi-Chan!" She took the dress from Mion's uncle and squealed happily as she held it close to her. She then twirled around with it and looked at me with a grin.
I smiled at her, glad that she was happy. "Hey, you would look great in that, I agree with Mion," I said.
"Really?" Rena's cheeks flushed up. "Hauau, Keiichi-Kun thinks I will look great in this dress!" I felt a little embarrassed, so I quickly turned to the black bag and pointed. "Hey, so what's in there? For the losers, right? Me and Satoko."
"Don't call me a loser," Satoko said as she stepped up to the counter. "We did our best, right?" Huh, she had a point there. Even if we did come in second, it didn't mean we had to lose. And we won prizes, too!
I gave a proud smile. "Hell yeah!" I watched as Satoko grabbed the top of the bag and put her arm in. We all had our eyes on the bag, and once our friend pulled her arm out, Mion let out a shriek of laughter.
A whoopie cushion?! Was this some kind of joke? I bet Satoko was wondering the same thing by the look on her face. Actually, her face was hysterical, I couldn't help but laugh with Mion. "Hey Satoko, I bet you could make good use out of that!" I said.
"Hey, isn't there more?" Mion asked her uncle.
He nodded, and Satoko looked concerned as she reached her hand in and pulled something else out. Now it was starting to get gross. Fake poop?! Satoko looked a bit irritated. Sure, she loved playing pranks, but I don't think this was the type of tools she liked using.
I put my hand up to my forehead, feeling kind of awkward. I wasn't sure to laugh or to throw up. "I can-totally see you using that," I said to her in a stammer.
"Hey, be nice," Rena said.
"Yeah, I'll use it on you," Satoko said to me, "cause you're full of it."
"Hey," I said, I will make you eat those words!" Okay, so our gag gift wasn't that thrilling, but it did get a little better when Satoko found toy handcuffs.
"Now this is what I'm talking about!" Satoko said as she cackled loudly, sneered at me. "I'll cuff you to your desk, and cover you with—" she reached in the bag and pulled out one more thing. "Itching powder?! Heck yes!"
I couldn't feel any of my muscles move, except maybe my left eye lid, slightly. I don't like what I'm hearing, and I can't imagine myself being cuffed in the classroom, scratching myself during lunch period and being laughed at by the other children. I just wouldn't bare it!
"No! I will not let you!" I cried. "I grabbed her by the arm and stared at her sternly. Somehow, so suddenly, I could feel the burning sensation in my eyes, as the tears were about to burst. Satoko was mischievous and sometimes just evil. As much as I hated to admit it, it was hard to outsmart that omen child!
After working so hard and closely with her in this store and she wants to do this to me?! I felt her jerk her arm out of my hand and laugh evilly.
After a few more moments of bickering, the five of us stepped outside the store, and Satoko and Rika-Chan were the first to say goodbye. Rika-Chan had her gift card, and Satoko had most of the gag gifts that we received. Not that I was interested in them, but I managed to get ahold of the handcuffs without Satoko looking so she couldn't use them on me. Perhaps I could use them on her before she saw it coming. Heheh.
Mion told us she had to stay and work for her uncle but asked to speak with me privately before she went back inside. "You really wanted Rena to have that dress, huh?" she said.
"Hmm," was all I could let out. Honestly, I didn't have the words to put it, but I really wanted Rena to be okay, because she seemed sad lately. Huh, I guess I could have said that.
"You're really growing up, Kei-Chan."
"Heh, well, she, and you, too, have done so much for me." I feel like I'm getting more and more sentimental with my friends each day. I just never had this back in Tokyo, and I feel like my heart is growing.
"Good for you to realize. So, you gotta do something for me now."
I blinked my eyes twice. "Eh? Like for the club?" If it was for the club, I was all for it. I loved a good challenge. However, the tone in her voice sounded as if she wanted me to do her a favor, not a task.
She smiled modestly. "If you wanna put it that way, you can. Actually, two things." She held up two fingers close to my face. "When you go to Takayama with Rena, I want you to get me a gift and bring it back to me."
That caught me off guard. It wasn't usual for Mion to ask me for a present. At least nothing personal. "A gift, huh?" I said. "Okay." That didn't sound like a problem, and she wasn't giving me any requests on what to get, so maybe she wanted it to be a surprise. It was up to me to find the perfect thing.
"The second thing I want you to do," Mion continued, "is that I want you to stick with Rena one hundred percent. Make sure she's always having fun and is never alone. Keep that smile on her face."
That was something I could do, and I will. I smiled. "You can count on me. I won't let you down, or Rena."
Mion chuckled. "That's my Kei-Chan! Now enjoy your ride home with her, and make sure to come to the shrine first thing in the morning tomorrow! It's our last day before you leave!"
"Right, I won't forget!"
After Mion went back inside the store, and Rena finished saying goodbye to Rika-Chan and Satoko, I hurried over to Rena with a smile. I was getting hungry, and I knew that she probably was too. It was dinner, so that meant either we would go somewhere out to eat, or we would eat at home. I would leave it up to her. Either way, I wanted to leave now so I could get some food.
Rena giggled softly at me and got on her bike. I got on mine, and together we rode off, side by side. For a few moments we were silent, and I could have sworn I heard Rena sniffle
Uh-Oh. Did another good day end badly again? I could feel my muscles tighten, and I was fighting weather to ask her if she was okay or not. No, I wanted this day to be perfect. So, I'm not going to pry. Instead, I'll go with small talk. "Did you have fun, Rena?"Oh, yes!" she replied full of excitement. "I had lots of fun; I did! Did you, did you?"
I grinned. "You bet! Even if I did lose. Satoko and I did our best, though! She trusted in me, too! Heh, maybe from now she should think twice before doubting me!"
"Hm." It was all Rena said, but I had not noticed that after I continued on about how wonderful my thinking skills were and how much Satoko depended on me, Rena was silent for a moment. "And then the prank toys," she said dully.
"Uh, yeah." We continued to ride our bikes down the road and made our way into the village. I glanced at Rena, who was silent again. I grew concerned, but still, I didn't ask because I wanted this day to be perfect.
"Are you going to miss, Satoko, are you?" she asked softly.
I peered over at her. I couldn't see her face, but I knew it wasn't good. She did not sound so happy. "What are you talking about?"
"You were getting along with her so well. Are you going to miss her when you go to Takayama with me? You still wanna go, right? You do, don't you?"
That's what this was about? She was worried I was going to bale on her? Rena, why would you think that? And me. Why didn't I notice? Why didn't I ask? Because I didn't want a perfect day to fail? I was being selfish. "Of course, I still wanna go! And yes, I will miss her, and Mion, and Rika-Chan." I pressed on my bike brakes, and so did Rena. We made it back. "But I will be with you," I continued, "and I couldn't be any happier."
Rena turned to me, and in seconds, I could see her face. A face with a glow. "Yes, and we will have so much fun! Me and Keiichi-Kun! Yay!"
That's right. Nothing was going to keep me from traveling with Rena. Nothing. Not even what I was about to get hit with the next morning. Or was I?
