Hey guys, I am sorry I didn't post it sooner, but I had to [Random excuse nobody would care about].
I said in the last chapter that this history is placed, before the penguins and infirmary scene. I can tell you the exact 'point'. Let's say it's the sequel of the 10'th episode of the second season. Iroha did have a failed confession. Iroha did say to Hachiman about taking responsibility. Yukinoshita and Yuigahama did hear about the genuine request. Iroha and the Service Club did successfully manage to do the Christmas party. There was no marathon yet and all the things after.
A (not so) small change in one's life.
Chapter 3
"Life is too bitter, so at least coffee should be sweet." - Hachiman Hikigaya
"MaxCoffee" I whisper as if I was talking to a lover I haven't seen for ages... I take another sip.
The sweetness runs through my whole body. I can feel it. I can feel the sugar slowly running through my veins. I can feel it. That's right. The ultimate coffee everyone should be lasting for. Those who don't aren't obviously aware of its supremacy. They should be considered heretics.
I walk outside the gym while I was taking delight in the faultless taste of MaxCoffee. I guess after a hard workout it tastes even better. I take the last sip of it. Everything has to end. The greater one thing is the sooner it shall end. World is a cruel place to live in. It is indeed.
I am walking slowly towards my home. The sun shines a little bit, but it's tolerable. It's not hot. The summer is over, so I guess the hot days won't come too soon.
I didn't even have the chance to make my tenth step when my phone rang. To be precise it simply vibrated. I take it out slowly. Chances may be small, but my number is in the position of Totsuka. It might be him. NO!
IT MUST BE HIM!
I've got it in my hands. Damn it. The sun. Why did it even show up today? I can't see anything with it being here...
"Tch."
I slowly walk back to the gym's entrance. It's not far, but I don't really like to waste energy, even if it were just 10 steps.
I can see it. The sender is... KOMACHI. Do you like playing with the heart of your brother so much? Eh... I guess you really do.
"How was your workout oniichan? I hope you worked hard! You need to be fast or someone will catch them before you :P Anyways! Please go and buy some water. It seems we've run out of it and the last one was the one you took with yourself. Do it fast! I am thirsty."
You shouldn't be abusing questions marks like this Komachi... What do you mean with me catching something? I ain't a fisherman, you know? It's so like you to babble some pointless stuff. Not that I dislike it. It's kinda cute.
Okay so, water, huh? I look around. It seems there is a convenience store some 200 meters from here. Unfortunately it's exactly in the opposite direction to my house.
I can't recall any particular shop from my way home. I guess I don't really have a choice, but to waste more energy...
...
"Monkey store?" I say silently. The first time I see a brand like this. Maybe it's just a family shop?
I walk in. It's quite nice arranged. Not too big shelves. The air is fresh and it's quite bright in here. I think I might develop a liking towards it. I decide to grab a chocolate bar for myself and then turn to the fridges with water bottles. I pick the brand I usually choose and head to the cash desk. It seems there is a little queue.
I then notice it. Long hair tied in a ponytail. The vibes of a hooligan. As I take a closer look I realize that I know that person. Not sure if I should retreat or play it cool and greet I find myself slightly trembling and standing idly. Sweat is running down my spine. I gulp.
Damn. She has noticed. She turns her head and now I can see the beauty of my blue haired classmate. What was her name again?
Oh come on. It's just a running jag. It's not like I actually don't remember her name, right? It's gotten already boring to pretend not to know her name.
I have developed many great skills. One of it is memorization. I think I could even say perfect memorization. The basic concept is to relate a characteristic object or feature with the name and then it's almost impossible to forget it. It's really useful. I would feel pretty awkward if I were to not know the name of my classmate. I know her name has got to do something with the word 'Kuro'.
'Kurolaceki-san? Not quite right. I might really not know her name. Maybe it wasn't the color, but a... motorbike? Yeah. That's got to be it.
Suzuki-san? I guess not.
Okay I really don't know her name after all. No need to panic though. I can greet her just like that.
"Yo."
"Good morning." Did you just blush right now? Nah. Probably my imagination. Now that we've exchanged greetings you may turn your head back and ignore me. Right?
"A... What are you actually doing here at this time? Weren't you supposed to you know hide in your room or something?" Is she trying to insult me?
"It's not like I can't go out of my room during weekends. It's just I prefer not to go."
"Ah.. I see." She then turns back to the cashier desk. That's how our pathetic excuse of a talk ends. Well. I don't really feel sad. Silence is quite good too.
The person currently first in the queue has managed to pay for everything and is now heading for the exit. My classmate then proceeds to the cash desk and in a few seconds... Actually after a minute she then pays for all the things she bought. It's quite a lot to be honest. Is this girl really going to carry it all by herself? She is pretty reckless.
On the second thought I think she may actually be able to do it. She worked as a bartender at night, so who knows what kind of skills she acquired?
It's my turn. 640 yen. I take out the exact amount and hand it out to the cashier.
I then walk out of the store. Now just to walk back home and to bed. I smile as I think about my zone. It certainly is a nice place. I am there alone after all. What should I do today? Games? Anime? I may as well just sleep a little bit. After all I am tired a bit.
"A..." Wait who is it talking to me? Am I being haunted or something? I turn my head. It's just her. What was her name again?
"I... guess we'll see each other on Monday" No shit sherlock. We're in the same class after all.
I survey her carefully. I notice again the amount of things she has bought. I believe Komachi would be mad at me if I didn't do it.
"Eh.. Do you live far from here?" I asked her coolly.
Did her cheeks turn slightly red or is it just me?
"W-why would you ask? It's not far from here." Said whatever her name was with a slight tremble in her voice.
So it's not far from here. Eh... I guess I have to... I try to recall her name again...
I know it! The name is Saki. I smile. After all my memory isn't that bad, huh?
"Well, Saki-san I can't just see you carrying all the stuff by yourself, so I'll give you a hand, 'kay?"
This time she blushes. I can tell it without any doubt. I clearly see the pink paint on her cheeks. Girl, why would you blush? It's just an obligatory courtesy that my mother and sister had forced me to learn.
"I... don't think we were this close to call each other like that..." Oh... Shit! I suddenly am able to remember her name correctly. It was Kawasaki-san. The saki was just a sufix and at the same time her given name. I knew it had to do something with motorbikes.
"I...gu-ess we may start calling each other like that and getting close to each other." Woah. If I were my past self I would totally fall in love with you. Don't make it any more dangerous.
"I'll take you up on your offer, Ha-achiman?" I can't explain her that it was just a slip of the tongue, can I? I would have to tell her that I didn't remember her name at all.
"Er... Yes. So, where do we go?" I said trying to hide my obvious embarrassment, but it was undoubtedly futile. We had both our cheeks painted red.
…
…
I've walked her home which was exactly further in the opposite direction of my home, but it was clearly closer to school. We tried to talk about some not important stuff, but eventually found out that it was pointless – as we were fellow loners with no great social skills – and simply went silent. I don't really find silence that bad, but Kawasaki was acting all strange. I guess I was a little bit flustered too. I knew I shouldn't go the store. It was all Komachi's fault!
Now I am taking off my shoes while enjoying the silence of my house.
"Oniichan!" A loud voice of my sister. So the silence has already come to an end?
"What?" I respond coldly.
"Don't what me! Tell me did you meet any girl in the gym? Was she nice?"
"Don't be stupid. You know me." I replied.
"Tehehe... I know my brother is a failure, but I still hoped for something."
That hurt.
"Just snap it out, Komachi. Here is your water." I said a little bit too harshly.
"Wait! I am not finished yet." She grasped my hand and hugged me tightly with a pleading look.
A true man should know his defeat. I certainly knew that I couldn't be able to resist her charm...
She did take out every possible information about my workout. Not that it was that interesting when I think about it. Luckily she didn't ask me about my trip to the shop.
I am now lying on my bed. I feel my muscles aching, but it's a nice pain. It seems to be saying that I did a good job and didn't waste my time. Maybe it wasn't that bad? I stand up and walk to the mirror.
"No changes yet, huh?" I would be surprised to see any just after the first workout.
…
My weekend has ended without anything important really. Now I was just lying on the bed preaching for the worst not to come. I bet it's all futile. I do it every week and it always comes. Monday always comes...
This chapter didn't introduce any oc, but I've pointed out that Kawasaki will play a role in the events. A smaller or bigger, but she won't be invisible.
Yukinoshita still not here :) Well, she will eventually show up. I hope I won't screw it and make her genuine like in the novels. I find her hard to grasp. Well... Kawasaki wasn't the easiest to do either.
I already have a plan for the story and then I have a plan for an optional sequel. Every feedback is appreciated. Even the harsh one – as long as it is constructive.
