MOTEKI

A Clannad fan-fiction by Aaron Jaeger

Inspired by the manga 'Moteki' by Mitsurou Kubo

Disclaimer: I don't own Clannad or 'Moteki'.

Chapter 2: "You Haven't Changed"

…

I opened my eyes lazily and was greeted by a white ceiling of my apartment before getting up to start my morning routine, which consists of taking a bath, brushing my teeth, and eat breakfast. I caught this new habit during the company's training 4 years ago.

It was a tough one, given how lazy I was after graduation. My habit of waking up late on my high school times was still carried on; heck it was even worse. During the length of time until I found the company I'm in right now, which I called the darkest year of my life, I never EVER even for one time really waking up before 8 AM. It was just… there was no pressure or whatsoever. It was total freedom! I do what I want and nobody cares!

I felt like I got coldturkey'd during the training months. And it was effective. I'm really cured from my tendency to wake up late. However, like I said, it was a tough one. I still got the chill just by remembering my dorm room; let alone to be reminded about what the instructors did to my colleagues and me.

On the second week of the training, I finally woke up properly. I think my body learned that being lazy in the morning is bad habit. Total freedom does not exist. You need to rule over yourself. And well, to be frank, I enjoyed morning routines. It somehow makes me refreshed face the day!

I regret not doing it during high school. I think my high school years will be much much brighter had I done so. Maybe, I would bump into someone, some girl in the morning and begin our neverending love story.

Now, now Youhei, get your act together! It is all behind me. I'm glad I have gone through the darkest year of my life. I'm a much better man with better life now. Look! I can still eat an eggroll for breakfast!

Eh? When did I prepare this eggroll? And I'm pretty sure I can't make one this good. It even partnered with a glass of orange juice. Sweet!

"—You have changed. I'm impressed."

*SPURT!* after having spurted the juice all over the table due to great shock, I fixed my eyes to the veranda, where the voice came from. The figure has long silver hair, pair of sapphire eyes, and those suggested me that it's a woman! She's…! She's!

"Tomoyo!? Cough! Cough!"

"Geez, look. You sputtered the juice I bought last night."

"It was a last night juice? Wait, wait, before that! Why are you here?" just as I finished my question, Tomoyo made her way to the tea table where I am sitting at.

"You didn't read my email?" she asked, sitting across of me on the tatami floor.

"Eh? Aaaah! Right! You sent me email last night! I'm sorry, I forgo— I mean, I didn't check my inbox, because I was tired from work, you see..."

"Ah, is that so?" she nodded slightly; looks like she bought it! "It's awkward to see you after 3 years without a single contact. I thought you have died or something," "Err… how could you say 'death' in such cold manner?"

"But really! I still can't believe you are up early, and even do morning routines. Good to see that."

Did she just... Did she just...!? "Thank you! No one ever praises me for that but you."

"Well of course. It is nothing to be proud of. It's pretty normal. And I didn't have any intention to praise you for that."

"Wh—what? It was not easy at all you know!? I gotta went through hell for 2 months to kill that bad habit, you know!?" I yelled, desperately defending my pride.

This is the first time I see her in formal businesswoman outfit. Now that you mention it, I don't know what she does for a living after her graduation. I thought I can enjoy every second of having a girl here in my apartment room, but given her character I guess I can't. "Haaahh… I'm sorry for not reading your email. So what are you doing here? You can't be looking for me with no reason."

"Yes. I want to do business with you," she answered. "Today, I want you to give me a tour around this city."

"I heard from Tomoya that you're working as a taxi driver."

"I am not a taxi driver!"

"Eh?"

"Heh. Well, I was given the job to drive a taxi, but I no longer drive them starting… today!" Damn straight! Yet another incredible milestone I have not told anyone.

"Really? What are you driving now?"

"A limo!"

She raised an eyebrow and stayed in silence for a moment. Heh, amazed aren't you?

"Actually, you can just tell me that you're unwilling to help rather than making such cheap excuse."

"I WASN'T LYING! I WILL SHOW YOU! Gimme a second!" I rushed to the bathroom to get changed into my brand new outfit for work: A black suit, a white shirt, a black tie, and the company's black hat. After putting everything on, I walked back to the living room. "See? Only limo drivers get this uniform!"

"Ooh…" she responded. "So can you help me or not?"

"Seriously? No comment or whatsoever towards the outfit? I sweat blood to get this, you know! At least take back your statement about me lying!" I yelled. Can't believe this girl!

"Ugh… Stop yelling at me!"

"AAARGH!" she just kicked the 22 years old me all the way to the kitchen! And her kicks are still hurts as hell! It's high school all over again! "Y—You don't have to kick me…"

"I'm sorry. I know I should not kick you in the face now that I'm 21..."
"I don't know why, but my body acted on itself. Guess it's an old habit."

"You haven't changed over this past 3 years!" I let out a sigh, "Ok I'll show you around. Let's go."

"Oh, right. I'm sorry for the trouble."

We walked out from my apartment room and descended the stairs, heading to the parking lot. I walked my bike to Tomoyo who's waiting at the apartment's entrance.

"Eh, a bike?"

"Yes. If it's just showing around, a bike is enough… hup!" I replied as I hop on. "What are you waiting for? Come on! Have a seat!"

"…"

Uh-oh. Seems like she's not impressed at all. "I was joking about the bike. We gotta get the limo at the company's terminal."

She heaved a sigh. "I was about to kick you again."

"HOW COULD YOU SAY THAT SO NONCHALANTLY?!" I slapped my own face. Why do I have to help this crazy person? She's still as violent as ever! "Haa… that said, I'll get the car. Wait here, okay? Don't worry, it won't take long."

"…"

"What? Why are you smiling? A—are you gonna beat me up again?!"

"No," she giggled. "It's just… you look dependable now."

"So you're saying that I was not dependable?"

"Of course."

"Tche. What an annoying customer. OK, I'm going," I said as I stomped my bike's pedal.

Then, it was the time when I heard something I haven't heard in the past 7 years since I started living alone in the high school's dorm. It was not anything special, but it sounds like a beautiful song to me. A simple, yet encouraging word, and it was spoken through the lips of my very archenemy Sakagami Tomoyo.

…

"Itterashai." [1]

"Ah, yes. I—ittekimasu." [2]

I think this is going to be the happiest morning in my life.

Footnote:

[1] Itterashai: See you/Take care. You say this to people when sending them off from the home.

[2] Ittekimasu: I'm going!

Thanks for reading! If you have extra free time, please drop a review. It's free and will encourage me a lot. ^^