It's morning in Ohashi and I'm walking with Ryuuji and Taiga to the school as she let's out a very long yawn with her eyes closed.
"Sleepy..." she mumbled with a tired expression
"Boohoo" Ryuuji replied sarcastically
"Hey if I'm gonna be doing your laundry, don't leave tissues in the pockets of your skirt, cleaning out the machine sucked." Ryuuji said to Taiga
"Yeah, yeah" she said still sleepy
"And while we're at it make sure you separate the colors of your clothes, the dark ones go in the orange basket and-" as Ryuuji continued his light rant about washing Taiga's clothes, she finally snapped at him.
"SHUT UP, SHUT UP! Stop nit picking every little thing, why can't you be a normal guy and-" Taiga was about to say more, but we heard someones voice in the distance.
"Big pitch coming up! Yeah, yeah, yeah"
Someone with this much energy in the morning could only mean one person, as walked to were the voice was coming from to see Kushieda and the rest of the softball team practicing, and me, Taiga, and Ryuuji saw her hit a homerun, while Ryuuji had a small blush on his face, smiling with his mouth slightly open, in my opinion was kinda creepy.
Taiga saw this and decided to poke Ryuuji in both his eyes as Ryuuji's back hit the metal fence and slid down a bit. I flinched a little bit while adjusting my glasses
"Stop with the pervy looks, you nasty dog." she said with venom in her voice towards Ryuuji as I look on to see Kitamura walked up to Kushieda.
"Hey, Kushieda! About that coed practice we've got this weekend-"
"Oh, hey there, Kitamura! I was just about to talk to you-" she was about to continue but they we're by the commotion
"Hey! Didn't you hear me, you mangy mutt?!" Taiga yelled at Ryuuji as she drop kicked him and Ryuuji is trying to get away as Taiga chases after him I couldn't help but sigh.
"Can't you two along for more than five seconds!" I tried to yell but they're long gone, I was about to facepalm, but I realized Kushieda and Kitamura were watching the whole thing. Without being anymore embarrassed I walked away to try and find Ryuuji and Taiga.
"Well, I guess those two are proof that your don't need to be in a club you get your exercise!" Kitamura said with a smile
"Yup, it's good to be healthy!" Kushieda replied with a smile with her eyes closed
Morning
The bell rings symbolizing the beginning of school, I so happen to sit behind Ryuuji who was rummaging through his bag as I heard Taiga started to talk to Kushieda.
"Decorating cell phones, huh? You're really handy, Minorin."
"Damn right I am! I might not look it, but I'm what you'd call "super handy!" she replied while placing rhinestones on a phone
"Sweet! Another one down!" Kushieda stated as she raises the phone in triumph
"Time to move on to the next one!" she said as places a box filled with a bunch of phones on her desk and Ryuuji reacted and stood up like he wanted to say something
"Why do you sound like someone's strangling you to death?" Taiga said with a small glare on her face
"Oh… it's nothing." he replied with a small blush on his face and put his hand behind
"Hey, I know! Do you want me to do your phone, too?"
"Huh?" he asked confused
"Well, I sorta got this side gig as a cell phone decorator!" Kushieda stated, it's very interesting
"I could do "Ryuji" with purple Swarovski crystals!" she giggled as I saw Ryuuji fantasizing again which was once again pretty weird but fortunately he snapped back into reality
"Uh… no thank you! I mean, I'm good." he yelled but he back pedaled and said something more calm as Taiga yawned and Kashii and Kihara came up to Kushieda with there own cellphones
"Hey, Kushieda?"Kihara asked
"Can you do ours?" Kashii finished for her
"Awesome! More orders! Okay, just write your name, the colour scheme you want, and a general idea of the design." Kushieda replied to the girls and Kashii looked at me as she gave a wave and a smile as she quickly turned and I didn't realize I had a small blush on my face.
After School
Me, Taiga and Ryuuji were at his house waiting for dinner and he was chopping onions and once again fantasizing about Kushieda
"*sigh* She's a part-time cell phone decorator. Oh man. A glittering Kushieda with a glittering cell phone is one deadly combination of glitterings." Taiga however was not amused and trying to change the subject, as for me I was reading a comic book
"If Yasu went to work early today, she won't be here for dinner, right? Maybe I could have her share of-"
"And then she said "Ryuji." I can't believe she actually remembered my first name!" Ryuuji still was in his world not hearing what Taiga was saying as she tries to go back on the topic
"That's just because she hears me calling you that all the time. So, back to you giving me Ya-"
"I talked to her more today than I ever did before! Be honest, Taiga. Was I being weird when we were… chatting? Huh? Mmph!"
he interrupted her again and this made her angry and responded by kicking him straight in the stomach.
"Pay attention when someone's talking! And if you want my opinion, here goes! You were acting like a tongue-tripping weirdo! Now, is dinner ready or what?" she said still very annoyed as and Ryuuji collect himself while being in pain
That hurt! And yes. It's almost ready. We're having rice bowls, so as soon as the rice is done, we're good to go. …Or not.
"Something wrong?" Taiga asked
"Stupid rice cooker's broken." he said annoyed
Since the cooker we decided to head to Johnny's for dinner.
"Let's see… I wonder what I'm gonna have for dinner…" Taiga said as she had her face deep in the menu
"We really didn't have to go out to eat tonight. We may not have had any rice, but we still had some bread." Ryuuji replied
"You can whine all you want, mongrel. But in a minute, you're gonna be so grateful that I brought you here." she stated leaving Ryuuji confused and decided to add me to the conversation
"Besides I don't see Ren complaining about where we eat anyway" I just shrugged to both of them and return my focus to menu as the waitress leaves two parfaits on the table
"A special delivery for both of you!" the waitress chirped as I figured who our waitress was but let's leave it for Ryuuji to figure it out
"But we haven even ordered-he said as he looked up the waitress was Kushieda herself, leaving Ryuuji shocked "WHAT?!"
"Don't tell anyone, but this is the Taiga Special with extra ice cream! Keep it secret from the other customers!" she whispered
"Thanks a lot for hooking me up again!" Taiga smiled with her eyes closed
"No way…" Ryuuji muttered
"Hm? Not much of a sweet tooth, Takasu Maybe you want some french fries, instead?
I'll give you extra! Like, extra extra!" the softball player said while holding up her fist closed
"Uh, no. I'll just…" he replied but Taiga cut him off
"You have other jobs too, right? Like at a convenience store and a karaoke place?" Taiga asked while eating her some of her parfait
"That's right! And just last week, I added a shabu-shabu joint!" Kushieda chirped
"Seriously?" Ryuuji asked
"I could do more, but I have to hold back. I mean, I am captain of the girl's softball team, and there's no way I'm gonna miss practice!" she replied with a thumbs up
"Don't you get tired of doing all those jobs or is it possibly your saving money for something?" I asked slightly worried for her having a big workload
"Good question Saikawa, I'm not but if you have the time, then you should grind it out!" Kushieda said as my eyes widened as I take in her advice
"Grind it out?" Ryuuji asked
"Exactly! 'Cause there's always a curb to grind!" she replied
"Eh?"
"Gotta watch out for those handrails, though!" she chuckled "So, anywho, you guys sure have gotten close, haven't ya?" she asked referring to Ryuuji and Taiga leaving her to glare at Kushieda, as she let's out a small nervous laugh then she heard a customer call for her.
"Okay, take your time!" Kushieda she said to us as she runs off to help the other customers, I turned to face Taiga
"So, that was your reason for bringing Ryuuji her, because Kushieda was working, but that doesn't explain why you brought me here, not that I mind." I said to her
"I've brought you for morale support and for dinner-" she stopped realizing that Ryuuji is daydreaming about Kushieda possibly in her waitress outfit which lead to her poking Ryuuji in the eyes yet again.
We walked home, what happened at that stretch? We had a small conversation of Kushieda and with Ryuuji getting punched in the face by Taiga leaving him with a light black eye and went our separate ways for the night
Next Morning
There are times where i ask myself how in love Ryuuji is with Kushieda as me and Taiga was following him back to Johnny's so he can see her again
"Man, days without school are rad, but mornings without school? "They're the best!" Don't you think, Taiga?" he asked her while having a pep in his step
"I should never have told you she worked there." Taiga said being very annoyed
"Sorry, you say something?" he said chuckling clearly ignoring what she said
"You didn't make breakfast because you want to leer at Minorin at the restaurant some more" she said still very annoyed
"The rice cooker's broken, remember? And I can't make breakfast if I can't make the rice." Ryuuji said trying to justify his reason to go to restaurant
"Then why don't we go to an appliance store man" I said seeing through his reason
"I guess I could've made something with bread. But Taiga doesnt like bread so..."
"I don't mind if I have bread for breakfast, and why are you so damn jolly? You look ridiculous in that outfit." she replied and mocked Ryuuji as he tried to turn around but Taiga caught his jacket stopping him
"I forgot something back in the house" he said quickly making an excuse
"Stop being such a pain in the butt"
"Please let me go! I'm begging you"
"Dude changing your clothes isn't going to help with Kushieda" I said getting slightly annoyed
"Hey there, son! You're Mirano's kid, aren't ya?" a man said standing next to a store
"Oh, hi there, Mr. Inage." he greeted the now named Inage as Taiga releases Ryuuji as he slowly falls on the floor
"Who's Mirano?" she asks confused
"Yeah… that's the name Yasu goes by at work. It's her stage name." he replied
"Hahahaha! What a great way to start off my day! If I can't feel up Mirano, then I'll feel up her DNA!" he said as he uses his hand and grabs Ryuuji's ass (Creepy!) as he shivered "Haha! Yep, you're just like her! Tight and firm! I do like 'em young! Hahaha!" he finshed talking as the three of us is creeped out by this situation
"Can we go now?" Ryuuji asked embarrassed
"Yeah, this geezer's creepy. And annoying." Taiga answered annoyed
"Agreed" i sighed equally annoyed
"Not so fast, you three! If you haven't eaten breakfast yet, then I recommend this fish sausage bar! It's chock full of Omega-3's and calcium!" Kushieda chirps out of nowhere having a bar in her hands, I realized that she works for Inage, but as for Taiga and Ryuuji they were confused, as Kushieda's smile widens and she closes her eyes.
"Kushieda?" Ryuuji asked
Minorin?" Taiga did the same
The store that Inage owns is a liquor store, which is one of Kushieda's part time jobs, and now Inage is forcing me and Taiga to carry cases of beer, and he's not making Ryuuji do anything leaving Taiga more annoyed then ever and me included. Your probably asking why were doing this, well...
Flashback
"I just ask her to come around and help out on the weekends, if she could! Kushieda! Put your back into it, girl! " Inage explained how she hired Kushieda and cheered her on while she's the front of the store window
"Right! With a vengeance!" she replied with excitement while raising one arm and getting back to work
"It's been pretty busy around here lately. And I'm a little short-handed."
"Short-handed…" Ryuuji muttered the last word he said
"So, you two. If you're Kushieda's friends, would you be up for working for me a little bit? The pay's pretty good!" Inage asked me and Taiga i was to politely reject his offer but...
"Sir! I'll take the job!" Ryuuji responded almost instantly with his hand raised up
"Huh?" Taiga asked confused and i was confused as well
"And, they will to!"
Huh?!/ Wait what?" Taiga and me both said, her with confusion and anger, with me i was more confusion and a little annoyed
Present
That's what led to me and Taiga forced into a job by Ryuuji. I was doing fine carrying the cases of alcohol, but Taiga was not doing so well as her arms gave out dropping the four cases
"Rrr… I'm so over this!" she said very frustrated
"Hey! Don't go starting trouble! You don't want to make Kushieda look bad, do you?" Ryuuji said trying to calm her down but to no avail
"If it means that much to you, then you do it!"
"Hey you two, I need you to make a delivery those six cases of beer over there! The two of you will take three each." Mr Image said while Taiga is ready to kill him, but Ryuuji stepped in and forced her to smile
"Sure thing! Right away!" he said as he gestured me to confirm as well
"Hai" I said with a closed eyed smile as my eyebrow twitches as I contemplate how I'm going to hurt Ryuuji later.
"Okie dokie! You're two are good to go!" Kushieda said happily
"Be careful out there, okay?" Ryuuji told the two of us but Taiga stood frozen no moving at all
Mm? What's wrong, Taiga? he asked concerned but he realized what is going on
"Wait, You can't ride a bike, can you-"
"SHUT UP!!" she screamed with everything she had and ran off with the bike and yelled
"So what if I can or can't ride a bike?! I just gotta make this stupid delivery!"
I took a deep breath and got on the bike and started to peddle as I left to make the delivery, I knew how to ride but the problem Is the cases are too heavy so I struggled to keep balance so I predictably fell off the bike and the cases were damaged as a result and I got a couple scratches on my elbow and knee. I sat on the grass near a creek so I can relax and not lose my mind.
"Hey Saikawa" I turned around to who was greeting me and it was Nanako Kashii herself
"Oh hi Kashii what are you doing here?" I asked
I'm on my way to see Kihara today, but I saw you fall off of the bike, are you ok? she said with concern
"I'm alright, don't take it the wrong way, I know how to ride a bike but I just put too much weight on it" I said while putting my hand on my neck a little embarrassed as well
Are you sure?" she asked
"Positive, I'm ok Kashii" I said reassuring her, which caused her to blush a bit
"That's good...Saikawa one day w-would y-you like to go... Oh no I gotta go, Kihara is waiting for me see ya!" she ran off I clearly saw red still on her face.
I sat there confused about what she wanted to say but I decided to head back to Mr.Inage's shop and wondering where Taiga, Ryuuji and Kushieda are, I head to back and I saw Taiga trying to climb to the window of the tool, I walk up to the front of the ladder, I heard Taiga say something
"Found. You. AT. LAST! " she said with a sinister smile as she jumped inside as she uses the ladder as a launching pad as I didn't notice the ladder was falling on top of me until it was too as it fell on me, one of the steps hit me on the head and knocked me out as I fall on the floor.
The the last thing I heard was Taiga telling Kushieda about the ladder as I fall into unconsciousness
"Wait! Listen! The ladder… kinda… fell over and I think it knocked out Ren."
A/N: Sorry About the late update guys, I've been working on new Fanfictions and new projects for my YouTube channel, but we did it. I'll try to keep the updates consistent as possible as I'm halfway through with writing Chapter 4. Thanks for the support. Like and Follow and I'll see you in Chapter 4 Peace!!!