More than just friends
Ryonan Girl
III – Riding a car with boys
We didn't mention the whole box incident to anyone. Sendoh doesn't tell anybody about his "hyper" side. Even Koshino doesn't know. Of course he doesn't . . . he doesn't know anything. Now, I'm sounding more like Yukino!
But then at class, one of our not so familiar classmates approached us and said something like, "I saw you two boxing yesterday. Get it? Boxing? Hahaha . . . . . haaaaah."
Sendoh smiled dully and I just eyed the geek blankly, with a look that says, "Back off. You're not my friend! :P".
Yeah, I was cold, insolent and childish. Isn't it obvious that I don't really like this guy – after he stumbled all over my science project? Lucky (but still unlucky) for me, he also stepped on the lava representation I was mixing on the floor. He smelled like rotten eggs, but what did I pass to my teacher? And oh, he spilled all the lava, which caused all my classmates to slip and also smell like rotten eggs. They were all so mad at me, and I had to apologize to every one of them. I remember Sendoh washing his smelly hair. It must have taken him around two days get the stench out. Actually, it was kind of funny then, until my teacher, and my grade, also slipped. I don't know which of them reeked more.
The nerdy guy finally left with no additional reactions from us. What else could we say?
I told Sendoh about my brother's visit later on this week. My stubborn brother didn't exactly say when. He wanted us to be "surprised", so he might come any minute from now. Gee, where's the real surprise in that.
Sendoh seems more excited than I am. My brother, Toji, is sort of his idol during our childhood years. Maybe it's because my bro beats up anyone who bullies Sendoh and me. Of course that doesn't stop him from bullying us too. Sendoh doesn't bully me. It's the other way around sometimes. Maybe he thinks I'll tell my brother on him.
Coincidentally, he said his cousin, Shigeki, is going to visit too this month. Met him before . . . didn't like him much. Actually, I didn't like him a lot. He is arrogant, self-absorbed . . . but he is quite cute though. He seems cuter than Sendoh, maybe because he uses more cosmetics than me. Naaaaah. Sendoh's cuter . . . I MEAN, not because he's my friend or anything. He just has the enough charisma to drive any gal wild, excluding me. I see him when he's drooling on his bed, and it's not a pretty sight.
My brother's arrival was in good timing. He planned his "surprise visit" just after practice, when everyone, all exhausted, just wanted to go home already, and most of us probably walk or ride a bike. Imagine that after hours of "slavery" on the basketball court. It was like in ancient Egypt, Taoka was the Pharaoh, and my brother, Moses or Toji, came in time to save, well, only Sendoh and me and in our family car. He's really lazy.
"You two could sure use a shower," was my brother's greeting.
He was waiting for us outside the school gate, but I think he was about to leave. He doesn't have the patience for anything, or anyone. He seemed the same – tall, muscular . . . annoying. But he's still my big brother.
I didn't hug him or anything. We don't really do that to show our affection for each other. I smiled at him, not like his smirk, but a real smile. I was happy that he showed up today, but also relieved that he brought a car.
Sendoh was the one who replied to him. "Welcome back," Sendoh said, sounding manly and cool, but his excitement still apparent.
My brother fell silent and studied both of us. It was an awkward moment.
"Wow . . . I never thought you could grow this big," he said, almost proudly.
It was probably a compliment for both of us. It sure didn't sound like one.
"Uh, Thanks," Sendoh said.
"And you look like you haven't even grown at all," he added with a laugh, obviously referring to me. Sendoh also laughed along with his idol's joke.
I frowned at both of them. Toji is definitely back.
"So how's school?" he asked us, his eyes still concentrated on the road.
"Boring," I immediately replied.
"It's fine," Sendoh said.
"Because you were asleep most of the time," I added.
Toji laughed. "You remind me of myself back in high school."
"Oh. Really?" Sendoh said, trying to hide his amusement with oh so macho voice.
"That's a shame," I muttered under my breath. No one seemed to have heard me.
Silence.
"And how is the practice today?" he asked again.
"Stressful. Difficult," I said.
"Enjoyable, but not challenging," Sendoh grinned.
"And the star player speaks," Toji said, amused. "I bet you're going to be the next team captain."
"I guess . . ." Sendoh said coolly. How bold of him!
"I heard Koshino's going to be the next team captain," I said sarcastically.
My ego-breaking comment didn't work – Sendoh just laughed.
"Who is this Koshino? Noboru's boyfriend?" Toji said suspiciously, which hints that he's in "Tease my Sister" mode.
"No way!!!!" I exclaimed.
Not in a million years in fact! Koshino looks more feminine than me! Maybe if we get married I'll be the groom! I should stop thinking about that. My head hurts.
"Come on, you could tell us. There's only three of us here," Toji teased.
"Whatever. This is pointless. He's just a friend of ours," I grumbled.
"Sendoh, tell me, who's Nanami's boyfriend?"
Sendoh looked confused. "I don't think she ever had one," he said truthfully.
That didn't sound helpful to me. It sounded like he was patronizing me. Yeah, he had girlfriends before (bimbos actually . . . I couldn't stand them for a sec), and none now. Sendoh's bottles of hair gel lasted longer than them. He's probably afraid of commitment, or maybe girls. I wonder why he isn't afraid of me? Maybe I remind him of his mom, the only woman he stuck up with besides me.
"You never had one? While you're surrounded by basketball jocks?" Toji asked.
"I don't need one," I plainly said. That was a stupid question anyway. The jocks surround one another too, and they aren't one another's boyfriends.
"Okay," Toji said, not satisfied, "Hey Sendoh, are there classmates of yours who are courting Nanami?"
"I don't know . . ." he answered.
Why would I tell him? He's a guy. He doesn't understand girly things. I admit there are at least five guys in class who showed interest in me but they just don't proceed to greater heights or I just repel them with my weirdness.
"I just realized now that my sister is completely unattractive," Toji laughed again. Sendoh laughed too but shut up after I glared at him.
"She's not so bad," Sendoh remarked hastily.
"Why are you discussing me like I'm not here?" I protested.
"Why are you so affected?" Toji inquired.
"Affected? I'm affected by your stupidity," I said.
Toji just laughed. I hate it when he laughs. It makes me feel so insecure. All about him makes me feel vulnerable, like I'm still the six-year-old he defends from bullies.
The car came to a halt at a grocery store. Toji said he'd just buy something first and asked us if we want to come along with him.
I shook my head. My feet hurt and I don't want to even stand. Sendoh, miraculously, stayed with me. Maybe he felt sorry for me being here alone. My brother walked away with a shrug.
"Is there something wrong with you?" Sendoh asked.
"Is there something wrong with YOU?" I repeated.
Sendoh seemed surprised. "I don't get you."
"Just because my brother's here, you instantly became Mr. Macho, and sided with him against me," I complained.
I'm amazed by my touchiness, but I had to tell Sendoh what I felt, although the whole teasing business is no big deal. If I didn't open up now, I might just punch him on the face later without any valid reason.
". . . I didn't know," Sendoh said, unsure.
"Now you do," I frowned. I looked at him, and he seemed a little sorry for me. I sighed. "But it's okay now."
He smiled calmly at me. Maybe he pondered about my "Mr. Macho" statement. Maybe he's a bit embarrassed. Or maybe he liked being called macho . . . . I hope not.
I see now why I've been with Sendoh for so long. He doesn't really understand me. He's a guy! But he tries to. He listens. He's considerate and calm, not fiery like me. We complement each other. It's a cliché if I say we're complete opposites (so that's why we attract each other?), but we are not. We like the same things, but not entirely. That would be boring and utterly impossible.
"Then it's okay if I still make fun of you?" Sendoh questioned cheerfully.
"Try me," I said threateningly.
"You are . . . . not cute," he said as unpleasantly as he could.
I laughed at his attempt, "I can bear with that for the rest of my life."
"You aren't just cute," Sendoh continued, "You're pretty."
I looked at him, bewildered. That's the first time in our friendship that he called me "pretty", which is a change - a good change. I can't deny that his compliment flattered me.
I was about to give a gracious "Thank you" when he added, " . . . pretty ugly."
Okay. That wasn't nice.
Sendoh laughed heartily, "I can't believe you fell for that one."
I gave a mock giggle, and then smacked him on the head (Not smack as in kiss). He looked at me wonderingly and laughed again. Why does he always have to laugh, or smile? His exuberance is creepy.
"Whaaaat?" I said demandingly.
He studied me smilingly, "I'm just amused with, I dunno, how you are."
"Why? What's wrong with me?" I demanded. I kind of ask myself that question sometimes too.
"Nothing. It's hard to explain," Sendoh said reluctantly.
Always the mysterious guy.
"Is it a bad thing then?" I asked curiously.
"It's a good thing," he answered conclusively.
Suddenly, I had the urge to hug Sendoh (and risk the fever I had before), although I have no reason to. Or not to.
I just feel like I want to thank him for something . . . for just being patient with high-strung me. He must be really soft, like a teddy bear. Oh gosh, I should stop thinking this!
We fell silent for a while, immersed in our thoughts. I saw Toji walking towards us with a white grocery bag. He went inside and handed us some snacks. There were chips mostly, and drinks: a soda for Sendoh and for me . . . herbal tea. I like tea, but I don't usually drink it with junk food. Toji must be meddling with my mind again.
"I knew you liked that, erm, brand of tea," he said nonchalantly.
He was trying to be sensitive after all.
"Sure. Thanks," I said politely.
Tojij seemed cooler with me now. He talked about college, life in US, our relatives, and of course, food. That was his favorite subject.
He babbled on and on. I didn't even think he was driving except when he was braking the car so abruptly that Sendoh and I almost toppled forward.
Sendoh and I didn't even speak a word. We only listened, but there's no guarantee on that. Even though my brother seems dynamic and eager, he can be a bore sometimes. Soon, we stopped at his house and all I said to Sendoh was a squeaky "bye". He waved at us and tiredly reached for the front door.
Toji looked at me in the rear view. "You're all grown-up now, huh?"
"Not really," I mumbled, "You sound like a parent."
He laughed. "Before, I just didn't think you'll grow up, you and Sendoh. You two were just toddlers for me."
"Emotionally, we didn't grow up. Screwed up, maybe," I commented, "Sendoh still follows your lead."
It must have sounded weird to him. He shrugged his shoulders, "He's different."
We arrived home almost immediately. I let my brother carry some of my stuff, but only up to the front door. His kindness, although appreciated, has its limits.
My parents welcomed us like they haven't seen us before. Why is everyone treating me like a baby today? Since my brother is home, we ate extraordinarily. I wish that my brother wouldn't go away then. I'm tired of the same consecutive food at home.
After doing my schoolwork (And taking a bath. I haven't forgotten about my brother's "shower" comment earlier), I slumped on my bed and fell asleep at once.
"Why? What's wrong with me?" I demanded.
"Nothing. It's hard to explain," Sendoh said reluctantly.
"Is it a bad thing then?" I asked curiously.
"It's a good thing," he answered.
"What is a good thing?" I continued.
Sendoh paused. "That you are pretty," he said admiringly.
"Pretty ugly?" I said sharply.
"Just pretty," he smiled.
Then I hugged him, like I have ever wanted to from the start.
TBC
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A/N: Hi everyone! Thanks for all your reviews J ! Hope you enjoy this chapter, although it's not as funny at the first ones, but still, it is needed for the plot. Please don't forget to review – one or two words would do for me, just tell me you read this.
P.S. Watch out for Shigeki soon. He'd be the biggest ass in history.