Introduction (16 February 2023)
This story is basically the result of an artwork that was posted on the Takagi sub-reddit. This image is called "Train Ride" (By ZJW) and shows Takagi and Nishikata on a train, she is holding a gift box and he is staring away a bit, seemingly distracted by a couple, who are holding hands. To me the whole scene seemed to tell a story and this inspired me to turn that first impression which came up, when seeing this image, into words. And this short story is the result of that "creativity wave" moment.
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Secret Valentine
'It sure is a good thing Valentine's Day isn't on a regular school day this year…' Nishikata thought, as he looked at the calendar. 'Now I don't have to worry about Takagi-san teasing me with it, perhaps putting a fake love-letter in my locker, to trick me into believing a girl from our glass has a crush on me. Instead I'll just have some peace and quiet today…' he sighed, feeling relieved.
Nishikata looked around his bedroom, a pretty regular middle school boy's room in appearance. A desk for studying, a bed, a bookshelf with some manga volumes on it. Oddly enough there was an empty space between volume three and five.
'That's right, Takagi-san borrowed that one volume last week, and she hasn't returned it yet…' he suddenly remembered. 'It is pretty funny for a girl to have a similar taste in manga as a boy… Oh shoot! Why am I thinking about her? It's my day off, so no Takagi-san!' Nishikata thought, as he wildly shook his head right to left.
Nishikata looked at the calendar on the wall. Originally he had intended to mark this day as a black square on the paper, since Valentine's Day wasn't something he particularly looked forward to. But today a special episode of "100% Unrequited Love" was scheduled, so he had written that down on the spot today. 'This episode will probably be all about that silly Valentine's Day stuff, but since it's one of my favorite series, I just have to see it. I wonder if Takagi-san has noticed this special episode being announced? This time of year most girls are only thinking about giving chocolate to the guys they like, so she might have missed it. Yeah, she probably forgot, so I should text her about it, to remind her. She likes that series a lot, after all.'
Nishikata picked up his phone, in his mind imagining how Takagi would be thanking him abundantly for the reminder he was about to send her. He could already picture how she would blush having to admit being such an airhead for missing this important event, when the phone started ringing and buzzing! After initially being so startled that he nearly dropped it, Nishikata managed to take the call.
"Hello?"
"Hey Nishikata, do you know what day it is?" a familiar voice sounded.
'Here it is, Takagi-san goes straight on the attack, trying to trick me! If I say it's Valentine's Day, she will definitely start teasing me with that, like perhaps suggesting that it's suspicious that this would be the first thing that comes to mind. I'll have to prevent that at all cost!'
"It's S-Saturday, r-right?" Nishikata hesitatingly replied, trying to sound as casual as possible.
"True… but isn't there something else that is special for today?" Takagi asked.
'I should have known that answer wouldn't be enough! Now what do I do? Oh wait, that's brilliant!' it suddenly flashed through his mind.
"I kn-know, today the new episode of '100% Unrequited Love' will air," Nishikata said, at his most confident sounding voice.
'Aha, take that, Takagi-san! You probably never saw that coming! You must surely be panicking right now on the other end of the phone, since your little trap didn't work!' Nishikata gloated silently, with a smirk on his face.
"Oh yes… and I am looking forward to it!" Takagi instantly acknowledged, not being thrown off for even the slightest bit by Nishikata's 'defense'; "… but isn't there something else today? Hmmm?"
'Aaah, she got me… it's no use to continue trying to outsmart Takagi-san with this, I guess I should go along with her, for now…' Nishikata gave in.
"V-Valentine's Day?" he said with a feeble sounding voice.
"Right answer!" Takagi said, on a tone as if he had won the lottery; "So… Nishikata…?"
'She's gonna ask it, if I got any chocolates or love letters and then tease me with it!' Nishikata went to full panic mode.
"Nishikata… do you want to come on a little trip with me?" Takagi suddenly asked.
"A trip? To where?" Nishikata wondered, totally confused.
"Well, I have a little errand to run in Shodoshima City… and you see, I've never been there without my parents, so…uh…"
'Takagi-san sounds so flustered; she must be terrified going to that city all alone. This is my chance to tease her with this!' Nishikata thought.
"Sure, I'll come with you, so you won't have to be scared!" Nishikata gloated, feeling like he had just gained a massive advantage over her.
"Thanks! Meet me at the bus stop in half an hour, okay?" Takagi replied, before promptly hanging up the phone.
'Wait, didn't I have other plans for today? Well, I said "yes" already, so it's too late to back out of it now. Besides, Takagi-san would then probably tease me and say I am too scared to go to another city without my parents, so I'll just have to suck it up, I guess…'
Nishikata grabbed some pocket money for the bus fare, and then put on his coat, to make it to the station in time. It was a sunny day, and Takagi was already waiting there, holding a small gift box. Nishikata instantly got very curious to know what was in it, but thinking it might as well be a setup for another tease, he decided not to talk about this.
"Oh hello, Nishikata! Glad you could make it so soon," Takagi greeted him.
"Haha, I am always 100% prepared!" Nishikata said with a smug face; "I even thought about bringing money for the bus."
"I see… though that wasn't necessary," Takagi replied, with a mysterious smile on her face.
"Huh?"
Before he could ask on, the bus arrived, and they went inside.
"Here you are," Nishikata said, while offering some money to the bus driver to pay for the trip.
"Oh, there's no need for that, kid. On Valentine's Day all couples can travel around the island for free," the bus driver replied, with a wink; "So, enjoy your trip together!"
"B-But we're not a couple…" Nishikata faintly tried to object, but Takagi's 'Thank you, sir!' drowned out the sound of his voice.
"Is that why you said I didn't need to worry about the bus fare?" Nishikata whispered.
"Perhaps…" was Tagaki's mysterious answer.
'We haven't left, yet Takagi-san has already managed to tease me! This totally isn't going as I had in mind at all' Nishikata thought. 'But I won't give up yet, I am sure there will be chances to get back at her for this, just wait and see!' he thought, while grinning mischievously.
"You seem to be in a good mood…" Takagi cut short his thoughts; "… did perhaps something nice happen to you?"
"Not in particular…" Nishikata replied, as he looked up at the ceiling, to avoid eye contact.
'But it might soon… I just gotta find a way to distract Takagi-san, so she lets her guard down, and then I can find an opening!'
"Takagi-san?"
"Yes, Nishikata?"
"What's in that box?"
'You probably didn't think I would be brave enough to ask about that box, right Takagi-san!? It has to be a Valentine's Day gift for someone, so it must be embarrassing if I ask about it. I got you now!'
"Oh my… someone is being very curious…" Takagi reacted, with a smug expression on her face.
"N-Not at all!" Nishikata quickly denied.
'I almost walked straight into that! I have to be more careful!'
"It's chocolate," Takagi explained, with a smile.
"Ah, I figured that much…" Nishikata replied, trying to sound as casual as possible; "It's very popular among the girls at school to give these, after all," to which Takagi nodded in agreement.
"Say, Nishikata? Do you think this year you will get some chocolates?"
"I don't think so…" he said, with a monotonous voice.
"Hmmm… Nishikata? You sound disappointed. Could it be that you were looking forward to getting some chocolates from someone? Maybe you were hoping this box was for you? Hmmm?"
"N-No! Besides, I'm n-not that fond of chocolate anyway…" he replied, while looking away.
"Hahaha, you're turning all red, Nishikata!"
"It must be that February sun, making it quite hot in here…" he suggested, attempting to save face.
"It sure is nice weather today. Look, Nishikata! You can even see Awaji island!"
"Really?"
Takagi suddenly rotated Nishikata's head around a bit, just enough to ensure he would be looking in the right direction. Before Nishikata realized what was happening, both their faces where just inches apart. For a moment he looked into her big sparkling eyes, but then quickly pulled away again.
"So, did you see it? Awaji island, I mean?" Takagi wondered, seemingly unfazed.
"Y-Y-Yes…' he replied, feeling very flustered about this unexpected close encounter.
Nishikata looked around the bus, casually checking out some of the other passengers, his heart still pounding. For a moment his eyes rested on a young couple, who were holding hands. Then he briefly looked at Takagi, hoping she wouldn't notice him doing so, as he still felt embarrassed about what had just happened. Takagi was seemingly lost in thought, while holding the gift box close to her face.
'I wonder who Takagi-san wants to give those chocolates to. Maybe that guy lives in Shodoshima City and that's the reason she wanted to go there?' he wondered.
"Say, Nishikata, how about a little challenge?" Takagi suddenly suggested, startling Nishikata.
"O-Okay…"
"If you win, I'll tell you who this box is for. But if I win, you will treat me to a drink."
"Sure! You're on!"
'Oh shoot, I was so focused on possibly hearing Takagi-san having to say who the gift is for, that I agreed before even hearing the rules of this game!' Nishikata panicked a little.
"It's a simple question, and you have to answer it correctly, or you'll lose," Takagi explained.
"Okay."
"Nishikata, have you ever been kissed?"
"Eeeeh!?"
'I should have known this game was a trap! If I say "yes" Takagi-san's going to make me tell by who it was. Then I would have to come up with a name. And if I deny I will probably look like some loser. But wait, at least then I would be telling the truth, so I would win the game! Yes, I can already smell that victory! Takagi-san will be blushing so hard when she has to reveal the name of her crush to me!'
"No, I haven't!" Nishikata solemnly stated.
"That's incorrect, so you lose," Takagi instantly reacted, while smirking.
"B-But… it's the t-truth…" Nishikata stuttered.
"Oh, is that so?" Takagi giggled loudly; "Say, Nishikata, do you remember when I visited your house once, to study together?"
"Yes, but…?"
"In the hallway there is this nice picture of your mother holding you as a baby, and kissing you on the forehead, right?"
"You s-s-saw that?"
Takagi nodded, with a complacent smile on her face.
"So, Nishikata, you have been kissed before, right?"
'Why did mom ever put that picture there? It's so embarrassing! Sheesh!'
"Yes, you win… what drink do you want?"
"What did you think this question was about, Nishikata?" Takagi replied, ignoring his words.
"Well… uh…" he stuttered.
'Damn you, Takagi-san!' Nishikata thought, as his cheeks flushed red.
"So, what shall I make you buy for me? I guess I will have some juice."
"Fine…" Nishikata grumbled.
'We haven't even arrived at our destination and yet Takagi-san has already teased me a couple of times. I need to take control of the conversation, so it won't happen again... Yes, I think I know how!'
"Eh, Takagi-san, did you already finish…"
"That manga I borrowed from you? Yes, I'll bring it with me to school next Monday. You're so easy to read, Nishikata," she added, smiling.
"I-I see..."
"I liked reading that manga by the way, so I hope you can bring volume five with you next time."
"Oh… s-sure," Nishikata replied.
A little while later, the bus arrived at their stop and the two middle schoolers got out. After looking around for a few moments, Takagi spotted a vending machine with drinks and Nishikata bought her the juice she had won with the game. Assuming that Takagi would be in a good mood after having claimed her 'prize', Nishikata felt it was safe enough to try prying for some more information about the reason for this trip.
"So, Takagi-san… I guess the guy you want to give that box too, is from around here?"
"He lives on this island. You have probably seen him quite recently," Takagi added, with a smile.
'Someone I have seen quite recently… who could that be?' Nishikata pondered.
"Did you already figure out who it is?" Takagi interrupted his train of thought; "I can give you a hint if you want."
"Oh, no need. I'm clever enough to solve this mystery without your help!" Nishikata boasted, as he pointed his finger forward, imitating the pose a famous detective makes when a case is closed.
"I see… If you change your mind and do want a hint, just let me know, ok?" Takagi said, giggling.
The two youngsters crossed the street, then walked along an alley with a few small shops. Suddenly Takagi stopped.
"Let's go there!" she suggested, pointing right ahead.
"A candy shop? Why?"
"Well, I just realized that if my crush doesn't like chocolate that much, it would be nice to get something else, just in case."
"I guess that makes sense…"
They entered the shop and Takagi walked around, checking several shelves, as if she had trouble deciding what to get.
"Nishikata? Maybe you can help me choose? Being a boy, you probably have similar taste as he."
"Uh… okay. These are pretty good," Nishikata suggested, as he pointed towards a shelf close to him.
"Oh? Really?"
"Yeah, it's actually my favorite kind of sweets…"
"I see. I'll have some of those then. I should have enough money for two bags."
"Two?"
"One for the gift and one for myself. If you say these taste well, I want to try these out myself too."
So, Takagi took two bags of candy, and went to the counter with those, to pay for them. Soon they found themselves outside of the shop again.
"Well, we'd better get going, or we won't be back in time to see the new '100% Unrequited Love' episode…," Takagi suggested.
"Y-Yes…." Nishikata stuttered, feeling even more confused, as they started walking back to the bus station again…
"Did you already see your valentine, then?" Nishikata wondered, as they were waiting for the bus to arrive.
"Who knows…?" Takagi replied, with a mysterious smile.
The trip back to Tonosho City was rather uneventful, and a little while later they were back at the bus station in their home town.
"So, here we are again…" Nishikata started, feeling a little uneasy.
"Yes, we are."
"I guess I'll be on my way home then…"
"Hey Nishikata?"
"Huh?"
"This is for you!" Takagi said, as she quickly handed him the gift box.
"B-But, you said it was for the guy you like?"
"Oh, I don't think I'll be seeing him later today. Also, I wanted to thank you for coming along with me on a whim. I had a lot of fun today, Nishikata!" Takagi added, with a beaming face.
"Eeeh, thanks…"
"See you, Nishikata!"
"Yeah, see you…"
Nishikata watched Takagi disappear in the distance, then walked home. After watching his favorite anime series, and having dinner, he went back to his room. There he noticed the gift box, still sitting on his desk, unopened. Nishikata removed the ribbon that was tied around the box, to hold the two halves together and looked inside. Much to his surprise, the box didn't contain any chocolate, but instead was filled with the sweets he had suggested Takagi should buy!
'Huh? How did those get in there? Oh wait, Takagi-san must have quickly swapped out the chocolates for these sweets when she went to the restroom at the bus station. Which makes sense, since these chocolates were only intended for her secret Valentine and not for me…' Nishikata concluded, with a sigh of relief. 'But why did Takagi-san go through all that trouble to do this…? She could have simply just handed me those sweets…'
Nishikata pondered upon this mystery as he opened the bag and put a piece of candy in his mouth. 'These are so amazing!' he thought, savoring the taste, when suddenly his phone started buzzing! It was a text message from Takagi.
"Those sweets were really good!" it showed on the screen.
"Glad to hear that," Nishikata texted back.
"Oh, and… happy Valentine's Day, Nishikata!"
The young boy nearly choked on the candy he was eating, then started blushing as he re-read Takagi's last message. 'Wait… does that mean Takagi-san actually wanted to give that box to…?'
"PS: are you now as red as those sweets?" a new message popped up on his phone's screen.
'She got me again! Damn you, Takagi-saaan!'
-FINE-
Story Afterthoughts (19 February 2023)
What a simple picture can result into, lol. Initially this story started out as just a single paragraph that I wrote as comment in the thread where this image was posted. Then it got 'a little" bigger. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed reading this story, and that it was able to at least convey some of the charm of the original anime/manga series.
Disclaimer
Btw, since I am not a native speaker, there will likely be some silly mistakes in this story. Hope you can bear with me and see through that. Helpful tips and suggestions for improvements are welcome.
Stay safe, and maybe until soon!