Chapter V: The Friendless Imawano Jinko
On the following day Tsubasa went to school. He didn't know how but now it was easier for him to get up early. The same thing happened to Ishizaki and Hyuga (the Tiger in Tokyo), which can be considered an advantage. Tsubasa was walking peacefully, already near the school, when he, being distracted and everything, collided with a girl who had a uniform different to Nankatsu's. She had very long brown hair, tied almost at the end, and a pair of locks crossed her face. She wore rimless oval-shaped glasses and had an air of solitude so strong, it could be cut with a knife.
-Oh, I'm sorry… I didn't look where I was walking –Tsubasa said, bending over.
-Don't worry... It's normal for people to ignore me –the girl said with a vaguely family voice. –After all, nerds are always ignored.
-Anyway, I'm sorry. My name is Ozora Tsubasa.
-I am Imawano Jinko.
-Well, excuse me, Imawano-san -and Tsubasa left directly to school, although somehow that sad girl was familiar to him. He arrived at Nankatsu Junior High, and Ishizaki was waiting for him.
-Hello. Your parents haven't arrived?
-No, not yet. They'll arrive in the afternoon, I suppose –said Tsubasa, sitting down. A while later Kumi and Yukari entered the classroom.
-Hi boys, anything new? -Yukari asked.
-Well, last night I had to be alone at home since my parents were at my grandparents' – Tsubasa said.
-Really? How boring –Kumi said.
-Nothing new on my account –Ryou said, his hands red from cleaning. -My mother doesn't let me sleep at all.
-I pity you –Yukari said, leaning her head. Later Sanae arrived, with her book bag and a handbag where her wool and her knitting needles were.
-Hi, everyone… I thought I'd arrive late.
-No, you arrived on time, Sanae. You're still knitting? –Kumi asked.
-Of course. If not, how will I win the money that I need?
-You're a girl with very clear goals.
A while later the teacher went inside the classroom, and couldn't help but notice the knitting needles that stood out of Sanae's handbag.
-Miss Nakasawa, can you tell me what does this mean? –he said, pointing out at the needles.
-Some knitting needles, sir. I'm knitting a scarf for my grandmother.
-Don't forget that they may be considered as weapons. Please keep them away.
-They are, sir. I would do as I was told if they were out of my bag, but…
"May the teacher understand that Sanae isn't doing anything wrong, please…" -Tsubasa didn't want to see Sanae grounded, and apparently his idea worked.
-All right, Miss Nakasawa. But I expect this to be the first and last time it happens.
Sanae turned to see Tsubasa, who was looking in another direction. However, she knew that it had been him the one that had saved her.
Later, while they went to Art class…
-Tsubasa, was it you who…?
-I don't know what you're talking about… -he answered while they walked with the rest of the class toward the classroom.
-I'm talking about my needles.
-Don't have anything to do with it -although while the girl passed by him, he passed her a paper where he explained the truth.
-Tsubasa, you are a tremendous liar, dude -Ryou said.
-Nope; Manabu is the king –and somewhere in the hall a sneeze resounded. They arrived at the Arts classroom, and they had to paint a still life.
-And I tell the soccer player that soccer balls are not allowed in their work –said the teacher as a joke. A bunch of students laughed including some of the soccer team, among them Tsubasa. Immediately everyone began to paint, although our friends were no Henri Matisse (or just to leave it in easier terms, they were no Misaki Taro :wink:)
-Oh, I definitively hate this class –Ryou said, grumbling. He couldn't get the color he wanted, and his yellow paint was running low.
-It's no so bad –Tsubasa said, and to tell the truth, he stank at painting. -Although I wish I had a little more ability to paint.
That gave Ishizaki an idea, but a cautious look toward Tsubasa, who nodded his head negatively, discouraged his thoughts. Meanwhile Sanae was very thoughtful. She had read what Tsubasa had passed to her, and lovesick as she was, she couldn't help thank him what he had done for her… Making her feel terrible for being unable of helping him.
Recess arrived, and since there wasn't anything worth telling, Tsubasa and Ishizaki left to have a little soccer match with several of their other partners, while Sanae sat down to knit, trying not to think of her 'debt.' However, some girls that whenever they saw Sanae made anything to mortify her passed by.
-Well, well… Nakasawa's knitting like a grandmother. Maybe you're knitting a sweater because it's cold, granny? -One of the girls said who not only had the highest skirt in the school, but also the highest ego.
-Or maybe she's knitting because she's expecting a baby? It wouldn't be a surprise, since you're always behind Ozora Tsubasa -said another girl.
-You think I'm knitting a sweater or baby stuff? -Sanae said, showing the bracelet she was knitting. –Go waste your time in another place.
-Jeez, bracelets. You know working while you're in the school's forbidden, Nakasawa… You'll so get in trouble.
-They're for my friends, idiot. I know the rules and I follow them, not like you, who break them.
However, one of bullies seized the needles, and for pure wickedness undid what Sanae had done.
-What did you do…! It took me almost all recess…
-oh, did I damage the work of Nakasawa? But how clumsy I am…
-Leave Sanae alone –said someone behind the bullies. –Not satisfied with bothering her, you have to destroy her work too?
-Tsubasa!
-At least Sanae uses her free time in something useful, not like you, who only talk nonsense and act as supermodels you're girls so ugly you make milk go sour -Ishizaki said, coming closer. –Get out of here, if you don't want to have trouble with us.
The girls left grumbling, while Tsubasa picked up what the girls had undone and Ishizaki went to continue with the game.
-Thank you, Tsubasa-kun… You shouldn't have done it.
-I wouldn't let those dimwits keep bothering you after they destroyed what you were doing, Sanae-chan.
-You're always so much for me and I can't repay you…
-In fact it's me the one that owes you a lot, Sanae-chan. You're helping us with you-know-what, with lots of information, you cheer us on, find solutions, you assist us in the soccer games… -Tsubasa said, reddening out of nervousness. –Definitively I'll never be able to pay what you've done for us.
Sanae blushed deeply with what Tsubasa said.
-Since well, both of us feel indebted… Let's say we're even –she said without looking at the boy's face. The bell rang and the teenagers entered the classroom. While he went by the hall towards the classroom, Tsubasa remembered the person with whom he had bumped in the morning.
-…and she said it had been normal that I hadn't seen her. However, she seems to be… familiar.
-I understand. What was her name again?
-Imawano Jinko.
-What a creepy name. The girl of the mourning sword… just by thinking it, it reminds me of fear and darkness.
-I think I know why that girl was familiar, Sanae… She looks like the Archangel of Darkness, but I don't know if it is so.
-Anyway, we'll have to be very careful.
The rest of the day passed and the boys were training. Sanae, Kumi and Yukari prepared the water bottles so that the boys refreshed in the break.
-We saw that Fujiko and her friends were bothering you again, Sanae -Kumi said.
-Well yes, but Tsubasa-kun and Ishizaki-kun helped me. What makes me mad is that they destroyed what I had done.
-Those girls will never change… C'mon; the boys are already taking the break -Yukari said, taking the bottles and beginning to hand them out. Sanae and Kumi hurried to give them too, although Sanae was still thinking about what Tsubasa had told her. A while later, the training finished and Sanae decided to go home alone. However, she collided with somebody (yes, just like Tsubasa that morning)
-Ah, I'm sorry…
-Don't worry… it's normal for people to ignore me -the girl with whom Sanae collided said. –After all, nerds are ignored all the time.
-I don't think you're a nerd… My name is Nakasawa Sanae.
-Imawano Jinko –the girl said, with a little bitterness in her voice.
"Imawano Jinko… She's the girl Tsubasa met today!"
-Sorry for bumping with you, Imawano-san. See you.
-Good-bye.
Sanae arrived at her house, and it was when she realized that that girl had an air of solitude and resentment so powerful she gave the impression that she knew who Tsubasa really was.
-What if Tsubasa's suspicions are right and she is a Black Archangel? Then we'll be in serious trouble.
Meanwhile, when Tsubasa arrived at his house, his parents were already there.
-Hello, son. How did you do today? -Natsuko asked.
-Fine, thanks. How's my grandmother?
-She had the flu and had a high fever, and that's why we left so suddenly, but she's better now. However she was hallucinating before the fever broke –Koudai said, passing a soda to the teenager.
-What did she say while she had the fever?
-"Tsubasa is in great danger… He's facing his fate… He possesses unimaginable power." That was what she repeated while she was sick. However, it was only a hallucination, and she's already OK. She and your grandfather send you greetings.
"Does my grandmother know about this? It was only a hallucination, but she said what's happening –Tsubasa thought.
-Is there something wrong, son? You're pale.
-No, don't worry, mom. It's just that I'm tired -Tsubasa went up the stairs, changed clothes and began to do his homework. As always, he found difficult to make his algebra homework, but he tried not to think of what had happened to his grandmother. However…
"If you worry about your grandmother and her deliriums, in fact she knows about your fate. She in her greatest treasure possesses something very important for you" – Shiro's voice resounded in the teen's mind.
"In her greatest treasure… I don't know, but I'll figure it out when I see my grandmother again in the right time". -and Tsubasa continued with his homework. After that he fell on his bed and took a nap. A while later…
-Tsubasa, dinner's ready -Natsuko said, knocking on the door. She didn't obtain any answers, so she went into the bedroom. There wasn't anything strange, but the atmosphere was heavy. The teen's mother opened the window and woke Tsubasa up as softly as she could.
-Honey, dinner's clever -she said in a whisper. Tsubasa woke up slowly, blinked two or three times and got up.
-Thanks for waking me up, mom. I'm so hungry I'd eat a horse –he said, and to tell the truth he hadn't had anything to eat since breakfast. He went down the stairs and sat down to the table with his parents. They ate in silence the food that Natsuko had prepared, and later she served chilled melon as dessert.
-Mom, which is the biggest treasure my grandmother keeps? -Tsubasa asked, still remembering what Shiro had told him.
-To tell you the truth, I don't know, son. But I'll tell you this: We'll go to your grandparents' house tomorrow, and you can ask your grandmother directly.
-Tomorrow?
-Is there something wrong? Do you have soccer training?
-Well, no… Don't have any trouble –Tsubasa said. –You just surprised me.
-Well, it looked as if you already had a plan.
They finished having dinner, and while Natsuko and Koudai continued in the kitchen, Tsubasa returned to his room.
-I don't know what to do… Well, I think I should take off this day's dirt off and go to sleep.
Tsubasa told his mother he'd take a bath and got prepared for it. A while later he came out, with soaked hair and a fresh smell (some people say that when he has his hair wet, Tsubasa looks like Genzo nn) he put on his pajamas and fell asleep at once. A while later he was dreaming. In the beginning he simply dreamt of a soccer match between the Nankatsu and some team he didn't know, but once he saw who it was at his side… he was quite surprised. His best friend, Misaki Taro was there, with his everyday clothes. Suddenly, smiling and signaling the black-haired soccer player to keep quiet, he grew out some white wings (as just like Tsu-kun's) and flew towards the goal. However, it seemed that the goal was miles away, since Tsubasa didn't advance and Taro was out of view. After that, the dream returned to its sporty normality, although Tsubasa couldn't help remember when his best friend appeared. On the following day he got up early, and since he knew it was Saturday, he decided go run ut in the park just to do something.
-What a nice day… Perfect for a soccer game, although at this hour there's a lot of people sleeping -the boy said, but something captured his attention. He stopped an instant and noticed somebody vaguely familiar.
-Imawano-san? Hi.
-Ozora-san? –she said, turning towards him without smiling. –Morning.
-How are you?
-As always… Fine -she said looking at another side. –Now with your permission, Ozora-san; I have to go now -and left.
"That girl's very strange, but for some reason I find her familiar… -Tsubasa continued running, and returned home. As soon as he arrived, his parents were just waking up.
-Tsubasa, you woke up very early… What happened?
-Let's say I woke up with too much energy, mom. What are you going to do for breakfast?
-I don't know; surprise me –said Natsuko. That was practically a cold water bucket over for Tsubasa, but he began to do breakfast for him and his family silently. A while later, with their breakfast already eaten, the Ozora family got ready to go to Tsubasa's grandparents' house.
-It's been a while since I last saw my grandparents… I don't know what to tell them.
-Just tell them how school's been –said Koudai.
-Oooookaaay… -and Tsubasa huddled in his seat, while Natsuko drove. -Dad, are you going to travel again?
-You know how my work is, son. I have to go this time to Spain, and that's practically the other side of the world.
-I understand. We'll miss you, dad.
-I know, Tsubasa. That's why I try to have quality time when I'm with you and your mother; a seaman's life is hard and long.
-And it's not easier for a seaman's family –Natsuko said.
-Well, it can't be helped… -and they talked about any other thing until they arrived at the Ozora grandparents' house.
As soon as they arrived…
-Hi Grandpa, hi, Grandma -Tsubasa said as soon as he entered the house and saw Koudai's parents.
-But if it's our grandson! How you have grown, my boy! –said Tsubasa's grandmother, who already had snow-white hair and was a little plump. –It seemed like yesterday when you were a little kid that never left his soccer ball. You are a man now.
-Dear, whenever you see Tsubasa you say the same thing -the youth's grandfather said. He was totally bald, and used glasses and a cane. -However, you're right. This boy grows even more every day.
-Don't you want something to drink?
-I think I'd accept a glass of water -Natsuko said, while she gave the grandmother the box of cookies that they had brought as a gift.
-I'll help you, Grandma –said Tsubasa, solicitous, while he went with his grandmother to the kitchen. Natsuko, Koudai and Grandpa Ozora looked at each other and laughed. Meanwhile the old lady and the youth served the glasses of water.
-Grandma, which is your greatest treasure?
-Hmm, you ask very difficult questions, Tsubasa. I believe it would be you, being my only grandson. (At least I believe that it's this way until Daichi-chan is born?)
-I understand, but I was particularly thinking about some object.
-Ah! Now I understand. Let's leave these glasses on the table and I'll show you my greatest treasure. Is it maybe for a work in your school?
-Roughly, grandmother; roughly.
They took the tray with the drinks and later the adorable old lady took the boy to the guests' bedroom.
-Could you please lower a brass box that's inside the closet?
-Of course -Tsubasa opened the closet and took out a brass box that was way up. Immediately he put it on the bed and closed the closet's door.
-Our family has held this for a lot of time, Tsubasa. Well, rather for the side of my family, so this is my greatest treasure. I would've liked to have a daughter so that she took care of it, but I only had your father. Now you're here, my grandson, so I don't know,. I guess I'll have to wait for something to happen.
-What, Grandma?
-You find a special girl. I don't mean as a friend, because I know you have them, but a girl that makes you feel affection very different to the affection that friends have.
-Weeelll… to be honest, Grandma, there is a girl that I like a lot but I can't tell her what I feel. She is my friend ever since I arrived to Shizuoka and she's always cheered me on in every soccer match.
-Gee… And when did you realize what you felt for her?
-Truth is that I don't know when I began to have a crush on her.
-Oh, the youth… What's the lucky girl called?
-Sanae. Nakasawa Sanae's her name –Tsubasa said, sighing unconsciously.
-Well, then it means that I'll have to ask you a favor, my boy.
-Which?
-You have to give her this, my greatest treasure to her, because it depends on these things that you can find the ones you're missing and she may pay the debt she feels she has with you.