Chapter 12

That next day proved busy at the soccer club but, with hard work and some harsh words to the team about improving, Ellen proved to get the job done while doing some studying along the way when she got home. Today, after school she went with Yosuke to Okina City to hang out. Why he pick this place, Ellen will never know with it's foul air and idiots running around. "Mmmm...It's been a while since I breathed this kinda air! Y'know, I'm just a poor little city boy drawn to that urban scent." Yosuke said.

"And I'm that poor little city girl who's currently getting her ears shot by all the noise but, we both live with it." Ellen said starting to feel ill.

"You know, for a city girl I'm surprise you've gotten used to urban life so quickly." Yosuke said.

"I like the quiet. Usually when I lived in the city I just went to school then went home. I was either by myself or lived with someone who always worked. So in some ways, I guess I'm just used to it all. I don't know." Ellen said.

"Anyway, am I starting to sound like Teddie?"

"Maybe and you're starting to look hairier too."

"Now that you mention it, the foam in my facial soap this morning had...! H-Hey, you're making me scare myself!" Yosuke said smiling.

Ellen giggled a little and said "Good."

"Well, that aside, what should we-"

Suddenly Yosuke phone went off and he said "Oh, a text message."

He checked his phone then put it away saying "More spam...Looks like someone got my address. I get a lot of spam."

"Why not change addresses?"

"Hmmm, well...I haven't changed my addressed since before we moved to Inaba. I mean, I might get a text from someone...It's hard to call, y'know? If I called people just to tell them my number changed, they'd get annoyed and some of them never planned to text me anyway...Oh byt hey, don't look at me like I don't have friends!..." Yosuke said.

"Well, now you have friends but, back from before it me hard for me to guess." Ellen said.

"Again, brutally to the max but, to tell you the truth, I don't remember what we all used to talk about. Can't really call 'em friends...Inaba suits me just fine. Plus...I got something I need to do there. I'm counting on ya, partner!" Yosuke said.

"Me too and don't be too broken up about it. At least you talked to people here in the city..." Ellen said.

"Ellen...let's not sweat on the small stuff. We should head back. It'd suck if something happened back there while we were over here." Yosuke said.

"Yeah..." Ellen said nodding.

"Alright, let's head home! Wait...Let's get everyone a souvenir, then go home!" Yosuke yelled.

They got a few people gifts then headed home together.

The next day, Ellen over heard someone say that part-time jobs were available so after school she went to look for a job. She decided to take an assistant day care caretaker job along with a few others she could do at home. Her day care job started today so she headed over to the center. When she got there she was put to work and all the children looked at her extremely interesting saying and asking her things like "Miss, do you have a boyfriend?"

"Don't ask her that, you creep!"

"Let's play tag, Miss! You're it!"

She survived the children tugging her at every direction with a warm smile and a lot of patience. At the end of the day, there was one boy left. "That's odd. His guardian's not here yet." Ellen thought to herself.

Ellen's boss, one of the caretaker ladies came to her and said "How are things, Ellen-kun? Has everyone been picked up?"

"Everyone but, that one there." Ellen answered.

"Looks like Yuuta-kun is still here. It's always like this, though..."

Yuuta came closer to Ellen as a young woman came saying "...Hi, Yuu-kun. I'm sorry I'm late..."

"...Whatever." Yuuta said.

Then he ran off and the woman asked Ellen "Are you...one of the supervisors?"

"Yeah." Ellen answered.

"I see...I'm sure Yuu-kun will cause you trouble again, but please take care of him..." the woman said.

Then she left and the caretaker said to Ellen "Yuuta Minami...He's full of energy during his play sessions...Maybe too much energy, but once she arrives, he's a totally different kid...She's his stepmother, so guess it can't be helped. Yuuta-kun's father got remarried to that woman you just met. I heard she's from the city...I really don't know what's she's thinking. Perhaps that's why Yuuta-kun is a troublemaker at school, too...The other day, he..."

Ellen soon lost interested in the gossip and started thinking to herself "Having to live with a stepmother...that must be hard on the kid and that lady is from the city so I imagine this new environment isn't easy on her either...that must be a mess."

She soon went home with 4000 yen earned. When she got home, she studied and read a little then went to bed.

The next day was Sunday, she didn't have to go to school today. She wasn't sure what she was going to do today until she got a call. It was Kou as he said "Um, hey, this is Kou. If you're bored, let's hang out. I'll call up Daisuke too. How's that sound?"

"Um, sure." Ellen said.

"Sweet! Don't forget, okay?" Kou said

Ellen hung up and a thought hit her "Wait, how did he get my number?"

She just shook it off thinking he got it from Daisuke or someone. She met up with the boys and the went to Okina City to hang out. Kou said when they got there "Ahhh, I haven't breathed air this bad in a long time."

"I know what you mean, I can't relax here..." Daisuke said.

"The air is bad, but you get used to it fast so don't worry." Ellen said hoping that would calm him down a little.

"Speaking of, what 'bout you, Ellen? Do you prefer urban places like this to more rural towns like Inaba?" Kou asked.

Ellen shook her head and said "Not really, I like Inaba better."

Kou laughed a little and said "Is the town you come from as backwater as Inaba then, Ellen?" Kou asked.

"No, I used to live in Tokyo once upon a time. It was loud and noisy and...personally I like the quiet places like in Inaba." Ellen said.

"Wow, I wouldn't have guessed you lived there. I bet you had way more to do than go to Junes, though." Kou said.

"Hehehe, most people don't. I move around a lot and Tokyo was just one of the many." Ellen said.

"Hey, I like Junes. It's super convenient, and they've got like , everything. That Yosuke dude is hilarious, too." Daisuke said.

"Huh? What does Yosuke have to do with anything? Although now that I think about it, aren't you friend with him, Ellen." Kou said.

"Yeah, we're friends." Ellen said.

"So just friends?" Kou asked.

"What are you getting on about?" Ellen asked getting a little annoyed.

"There's been a rumor going around that you two have been dating." Kou said.

Ellen shook her head and said "Those rumors are false."

"Ok, I was just checking. Anyway the four of us should hang out sometime. Kou said.

They hanged out for the rest of the day then she went home.

The next day after a day of PE she learned that the cultural clubs were starting. Ellen herself had only ever really joined a chess club so she had no real interested in the drama club but, the music club was a bit of a different story. She liked playing the flute so maybe she could try that. She went to the band room and was met with wonderful music and a small girl who was a first year with green hair. She bumped into Ellen and said almost frazzled and then shy "Ahh! Oh...Sorry about that...?...Ummm..."

"It's ok. It happens. Anyway I'm here to join the band." Ellen said as cool headed as ever.

"Oh, okay. Ummm, wait right here, please. Captain! Caaaaptain!" the girl said.

She met with band captain and was then introduced to the club as he said "This is Ellen Narukami, a second-year. Let's give her a warm welcome, everyone."

"Welcome!" everyone said to Ellen.

"Nice to meet you all." Ellen said to everyone.

"So, Ellen, have any experience with musical instruments?" the captain asked.

"I played the flute." Ellen answered.

"Really? Well, how about you show us what you got." the captain said.

They gave her a flute and she thought for a bit if she remembered any of the songs. She decided to play her own tune. It was probably going to kick her out but, to her it was an oh well since she was debating on doing this at all. She played a cool, mellow, tune. One that made you relax and forget your worries. Ellen felt sleepy herself. When she was done with her piece, the club members looked at her with awe. "What kind of piece was that?" a girl asked.

"Umm...would you believe me that I kinda made it up." Ellen asked.

"That was beautiful! So you'll be helping me coach, right?" the captain said.

"What?" Ellen asked hoping that wasn't the case.

"Hahaha, I'm kidding! Why don't you stick around and watch for today? We meet on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. And...hey, Ayane!"

The green haired girl came up and said "Y-Yes!?"

"Why don't you introduce yourself to Ellen?" the captain said.

"Umm, er, my name is Ayane Matsunaga. I'm a first-year." Ayane said.

She then blushed and said "I-I play the trombone. And, uh..."

"Alright, she'll get you brought up to speed. If you'll excuse me...Bring it in, guys. Break's over. Let's take it from the top again." the captain said.

Ellen listen to them play for the rest of the day and then the band members went home. Ayane was the only one left and she said to Ellen "Oh, Senpai...You're still here? It's okay, you can go home! Oh...I'm sorry! I was supposed to give you the details on our club, wasn't I? Umm, we meet on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays...er, they already told you that, don't take attendance, so you don't have to come if you don't want to, but practice makes perfect, so...If you keep at it, this is a great way to learn to express yourself! Though...I'm not the best example of that..."

"It's ok. Neither am I." Ellen said bluntly.

Ellen notice that Ayane kept looking at her in awe and Ellen asked "What are you staring at?"

"N-Nothing...Anyway, do you have any questions, Senpai?"

"Yeah, where does the club play at?"

"Well, sometimes we do performances at hospitals, or for senior homes. We aren't a big enough band to enter any competitions...But people enjoy our performances. We really pour our hearts into music. Well...I say "we", but I don't usually play. I take care of all the paperwork around here. A-Anyway, I have to tidy up. Why don't you go on ahead, Senpai?"

"How about I help instead? This looks like a pretty big job." Ellen said looking around the room.

"Huh? Uh, ummm...N-No, I-it's okay! It's my responsibility! So, um, please, don't go out of your way! Still...It was nice of you to offer."

"It's no problem really, but if you insist at least do this. Tell the captain to get you some help once in awhile. No good for you to have all of the responsibility. You're going to collapse one day."

"Oh o-ok...Oh, it's already getting dark. Be careful out there, Senpai."

Ellen then went home. When she got home Nanako told her she had bought food today so Ellen checked to see if she could make her own lunch tomorrow and saw she had to make enough to make Ginger Pork. She put on an apron and started cooking and while cooking saw that Nanako was at her side watching. After a bit, she said to Nanako smiling "You want a bite after I'm done? It's Ginger Pork."

"I-I can have some?" Nanako asked.

"Of course, I don't eat a whole lot anyway."

She finished up the lunch and let Nanako have a bite. When she tried it she said with delight "It's really good!"

"Glad you like. I'll make you a lunch too when we get more food again." Ellen said happy that Nanako liked her cooking.

"Y-You'd do that?" Nanako asked.

"Yeah, I enjoy cooking and I like the thought of having a test subject for a change."

Ellen put the apron away while Nanako asked "...Have you...always been alone?"

"Most of the time, yeah. I normally have to take care of myself." Ellen said.

Nanako gave an upsetting look and Ellen said patting her head "Something we have in common, huh? But anyway I'm heading for bed. Goodnight Nanako."

"Goodnight and thank you." Nanako said smiling.

The next day after a math lecture, she decided to share her lunch with Yosuke. Give him something besides those coquettes for a change. They sat on the roof together eating lunch and Yosuke said "Wow, this is sooo good! Is this your recipe, Ellen? I only know how to make boil eggs, myself..."

"If you want I can teach how to make it." Ellen said.

"Nah, I'm good...but, if you need a taste tester I'd be more than happy to." Yosuke said.

Ellen laughed a little and thought to herself "Sorry, but, that job's taken."

After school she decided to go to band to practice. The session kept getting interrupted because Ayane kept playing flat. Ellen thought to herself as she practice "Why is Ayane playing the trombone? It's too long and heavy for her height."

At the end of practice it was just Ayane and her again as Ayane said "You must be tired, Senpai. You have such great tone. You play the flute so beautifully."

She blushes again and says "Oh, sorry, I know that doesn't mean much coming from someone like me. I was sticking out again today...I wish I had as much talent as you."

"You do have talent. It just needs an extra push, is all."

"An extra push...?"

"Something that will put you at the peak of your talent. It will come some time I'm sure of it."

"Y-Your right. I shouldn't give up!" Ayane said in high spirits.

Then she said "Oh, but...we have another trombone player here. Takeru-Senpai. He's really good, so he always gets picked for the performances. That's why I've never gone to one, but it doesn't matter...I can't play in front of an audience anyway...I'm sorry... I shouldn't bother you with all this. I better get this place picked up so I can go home."

"So, can I help you clean up this time?" Ellen asked still thinking her doing this by herself is dumb.

"Huh? Uh, ummm...Thank you so much...I'm sorry, you really shouldn't have to do this...Oh my, it's already getting dark. Alright, let's do it!"

"Good, oh and Ayane?"

"Y-Yes?"

"I learned how to play the flute on my own. So try to see if you can find some good books or something for tips on your instrument." Ellen said.

"Y-You learned alone? You've never joined a band before?"

"Not until now."

"Why join now, Senpai?"

"Honestly...I don't know. Change in atmosphere, maybe. Ok, let's clean."

They cleaned and soon Ellen went home thinking to herself "Huh...why did I join a club? Why did I become a manager for a team? Why am I doing all these things that I normally don't like doing with other people? Is it because of the people...nah, some are still the assholes I'm used to...Maybe that other world changed me...maybe because of that world, I'm actually starting to give a damn...I don't know...It's all still too confusing for me...well, I'm reading my book for a long while tonight...I got to stop thinking like this...giving me a headache..."