CHAPTER 5
Due to the upcoming midterm exam , there's a lot of projects we need to do . Good thing that I finished and passed some of it . Right now I'm outside of the café , luckily they had tables and chairs outside .
I occupy one of its seat . Today , we are going to sell the food we made in home economics , it is one of our projects . I was with my groupmates earlier but now they already leave . They are now selling the food we made called " Graham balls " .
Graham balls is a crushed biscuit that mixed in a condensed milk and shaped it into a small circle like a ping pong ball . We decorated it with marshmallows , sprinkles and anything that will make it presentable to the customers .
" Hiw should I suppose to sell this ? ", I muttered to myself while my fist is resting on my cheek , gazing at the paperbag infront of me .
" I think they are lots of it , that sounds troublesome ", a dull voice said .
" huah ! ", I almost fell into my chair " Who are you ? I didn't give you my permission to share a table with me ", I blurted out to a light blue haired guy infront of me . How dare he talk to me like that ? We're not friends .
" I'm sorry and besides I'm already here before you occupy this seat ", he answered in his expressionless features .
" I didn't even notice it ", I said in a low tone so that he couldn't hear me . ' What is he a ghost ? ' .
Wait , someone like a ghost ?
" If I'm not mistaken , is your name is Kuroko Tetsuya ? ", I hopefully asked .
His eyes widen a bit " I'm suprise to a total stranger like you know my name . Am I that popular ? I didn't even know it ", he plainly said .
" uhh ... it was just a hunch . And I've heard a name Kuroko Tetsuya , he is actually a member of a so-called group " Generation of Miracles " ".
" ... huh ", what a weak reaction " Anyway , if you want some help , I'll lend you a hand ".
" Are you sure ? I mean we've just met remember ? ".
" Yeah . But I think you will not do something absurd ", he said with a small smile on his lips .
I think for a while and when I was about to say yes , he talked again " No , I take back those words ".
I blinked twice , suprise by his sudden decision .
" Instead of lending you a hand , I'll just buy ", he showed two of his fingers " two boxes of your product ", so that what he means .
" uh ... that will cost 200 yen ", I said as I gave him two boxes of graham balls .
" I'll take it ", he took out his wallet from his pocket and gave me his money that cost the product he bought " I will give everyone in Seirin ".
" It seems that you have a nice team ", I commented .
" Hai . I'm very grateful that I become part Seirin's basketball team ", when he's saying those words . I can see in his blue orbs that he is definitely enjoying his team , even though he has a blank expression on his face .
I low my gaze and muttered under my breathe so that Kuroko-kun won't hear me " I wish everyone in Rakuzan is like your team ".
" huh ? ".
" No , nothing . Anyway , thank you . I better should go ", I stood up " nice meeting you , Kuroko Tetsuya ", I bowed before bidding him a goodbye .
I turned my back and left him . Before I could take another step , I remembered something " By the way ", I looked behind to face him once again " Takasugi Eri ... is ... my ... name ", I realized that I was talking to the air around me , meaning he already left in a split of seconds .
" He's gone ", I muttered " Awesome ", I commented as I turned around again and started walking " Kuroko Tetsuya ... huh ... he's definitely an interesting guy ".
I've been standing here for so long . I don't even understand why the passersby won't purchase my product . It's not too expensive and it tastes fine , it's worth it though .
I sighed " Maybe I'll change location ".
" Oi Shin-chan , why don't we give up and go home ? ", a man in a jet black hair said in a weak tone , following this tall green haired man " We almost bought all round sweets in the store but none of them happens to be your lucky item ".
" Shut up , Takao . Have you forgotten that my life is in danger ? I should do everything in my power to find my lucky item ".
A guy named Takao grunted . He is already in his limit " Shin-chan , why are you so difficult ? ".
The green haired guy suddenly stop . The guy behind him also stop .
" What's the matter ? ".
" Takao , look over there ", he commanded as he pointed out .
" hm ? A girl who wears black and white dress-like hoodie jacket ? ", he asked , making sure that she's the girl yhat Midorima was referring to .
The green haired guy nodded .
" hmmm ... what about her ? ", he asked . Suddenly , something hit on his mind as he gaze at the hreen haired guy playfully" Woah ! Shin-chan , are you trying to say that ... ", he paused a bit while Midorima was waiting for his next words " you are interested with her ?! I can't believe it ! Shin-chan is inlove ! ".
" THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEAN ! YOU'RE THINKING TOO MUCH ! ",he bursted out his irritation towards Takao . When he realized that he was too loud , he cleared his throat and adjusted his glasses as if nothing happened " It's not the girl , its the thing she's selling . Maybe that will be my lucky item for today ".
" You're still not giving up on that ?! ", he complained . Midorima ignored him and proceed to the girl he was referring to .
" EH ?! OI SHIN-CHAN , WAIT ! ".
Good thing that I've already sell some two boxes aside from Kuroko-kun that he purchased earlier . So I already sold some four of them .
" Oi Shin-chan ! I said wait ! ", I head a loud voice but I ignored it .
" How much is that ? ", I shifted my gaze to the voice where it came from .
As soon as I saw the man who recently asked me , I got stunned . He's so tall . But why is he holding a lot of sweets ? And it is all in round shape ?
" I'll repeat . How much is that ? ", he repeated in his deep voice .
I snapped out into my deep thoughts " Oh ... 100 yen per box ".
" I'll take one ", he gave me the money as I gave him the product that he purchased .
" Sorry Miss . Did Shin-chan scare you ? ", the black haired guy popped out behind this tall man . He seemed friendly and I think he is the type of noisy guy .
I shook my head and replied plainly " No , not at all ".
I think I saw him before . Yes , right . I saw him in the basketball monthly magazine . He is the shooting guard of Shuutoku , Midorima Shintarou . And he is also the member of Generation of Miracles .
A few of Generation of Miracles are showing up today . Is there an occassion or something ?
" Indeed . This is my lucky item for today . I can feel its power emanating from it ".
" Lucky item ? ", I said .
" Hahaha ... sorry he's a bit weird . He believe in every word of Oha-Asa horoscope ", a guy named Takao stated . And its seems Midorima doesn't denying it .
" I was wondering , why a girl like you doing here , selling some sweets ? Is it your part time job ? ", this guy ... why does he talk much ?
" Sorry I can't tell even the smallest information ", I plainly said .
" Uah ... a tsundere .. huh ", he commented .
I raised my brow from hearing those words " Tsundere ? Who are you calling tsundere ? ", I asked in scary deep voice .
" iie . I was just hoping you answer my question . That's all ".
I just gaze at him in return . Well , I think he's not that bad at all . I guess giving him my smallest information would satisfy him " This thing is my project in home economics at Rakuzan ... high school ".
" Rakuzan ? ", Midorima Shintarou seemed surprised .
" Wow ! I mean , like wow ! Well , it's not that suprising 'coz were here in Kyoto ", something strucked into his mind " Ah ... then you know a guy named Akashi Seijuurou ? He is Shin-chan's teammate ".
" Oi Takao , that's too much . We approach her just to acquire my lucky iten ", then this tall guy looked at me " You have my thanks ... ", he paused as if he was waiting for my response or could it be ... he is asking my name ?
" Oh ... Takasugi ... Eri ", I replied .
" Takasugi-san , we're leaving . Let's go , Takao ", then he proceed away .
The black haired guy waved at me " Ti'll nex time , if there's one . Oh Takao Kazunari's the name . Bye ! ".
Once the two guys gone at my sight , I shifted my gaze to the paperbag I was currently holding . I sighed , seeing that there's a lot of stocks left made me felt tired . I think , I spend too much time to talk to those guys . That's not so me .
Wait , why am I selling these alone ? Oh right , I almost forgot that our group has an odd numbers so I insisted myself to do it alone since no one in my group has a guts to do it alone .
A minutes past , there's still no progression . And I feel someone was gazing at me intently . Looking at me from head to toe . O ... k she's creeping me out . If I'm going to observe her , she's definitely a staff of modeling studio .
I decided to confront her 'coz I have a bad feeling about this . I crossed my arms over my chest " What do you want ? ".
Instead of getting scared at me , she dashed towards me and held my hand " I FINALLY FOUND YOU ! ", she said vigorously like she found her long and lost friend .
" huh ? ", I raised my brow , bewildered at the sudden behavior of this woman " Do I know you ? ".
" No ", she immediately replied " But you're perfect for the shoot ", she started to touch my waist that sent a chills into my spine . What's with this woman ? .
" You have a nice slim body ", then she place her palm on my face " and you're beautiful , you just don't know how to fix yourself . You're tall just perfect for modeling ! ".
" Modeling ?! No . I refuse . Go look another woman aside of me . I'm not suited for it ", I strongly refused and walked away at the short brown haired woman , about mid-20's of her age .
" You're wrong , you're just doubting yourself ", oh great , she's still following me . Just how persistent is this woman is ? Just how badly she want me to be part of the photoshoot ? She's getting annoying .
" hmm ... it seems that you're having a hard time selling those sweets ", I just ignore her and keep my pace .
" Why don't we have a deal ? ", those words made me stop pacing but remained silent , letting her explained herself without facing her " I'll buy 5 boxes o those and we'll give you a quota . What do you say ? ".
' 5 boxes plus she will be giving me a quota ? That would be enough for my daily needs ', I shook my head ' I shouldn't indulge myself with it . She might be a scammer or something like she will do some evil things . I should not let myself guard down '.
" We'll double your quota ", she said .
No , I've made up my mind " You can offer whatever you want ", I gaze at her in the corner of my eyes " but in the end I will still turn you down ".
I feel that the staff of the modeling studio stopped following me " Fine . If you can't accept my offer then we leave no choice but use force ".
" What ?! ", before I could look at my back , someone grabbed my arm and place a handkerchief over my nose and mouth .
My vision started to blur and my eyelids feel heavy until I passed out in someone's arm .
" But manager don't you think you went a little too far ? ", the blond asked to the woman , whose the mastermind behind of recruiting Eri by force .
" She's too difficult to with , so I left no choice . I will do everything in my power in order to not loose this project ", she replied .
He sighed and smiled apologetically " Now you sound like Midorimacchi ".
Suddenly , they heard muffled groan and they changed their attention to the unconscious , lying down the couch .
" I think she's gonna wake up sooner ", the Blondie's manager stated with a smile etched on her middle-aged face .
Just when I began to open my eyes from my unconscious state earlier , I made an eye contact to the cieling . Oh great , just where on earth am I ?
I slowly sat on the couch . I immediately place my palm on my forehead because I suddenly felt dizzy .
" Good morning , miss ", a guy greeted me in his happy-go-lucky tone . Good morning ? Tch . It's already afternoon .
" Sorry if it turned out like this , my manager wants this project so badly . I hope you will forgive her ".
I tilted my head due to this blond's apology " huh ? ".
" ALRIGHT KISE , TAKASUGI ! GET READY AND WE'RE GOING TO START ! ", the photographer shouted just heard him enough .
" Roger ! ", he shouted back as he glanced at me " Let's go , Takasugi ".
" What does he mean ? ", I gasped beacause I realize something " Could it be - ", I immediately look at my outfit right 'coz I feel different and the heck I'm right ! I can't tell it in details but I'm sure its a dress . And my hairstyle changed . It was now elegant look " NOOOOO ! ".
I suddenly woke up from my slumber , sweats pouring in my face as I breathe heavily as if I had a nightmare .
I place my arm over my forehead to calm myself " A dream ".
But if it's a dream , why it looks so real ? Everyone in the Generation of Miracles ...
Is this a sign ?
I took my cellphone on my headboard and glance at the time which is already quarter to nine in the morning , good thing that its weekend this day .
I place back my phone in the headboard as I down on my stomach , wanting to sleep once more . My body was still tired from yesterday . Wait , what was the event yesterday ?
When I change my pace of my head , I notice something that made my body and mind aroused . I saw a large paperbag of my study table , sticking out a red piece of cloth .
That's right I remember it now !
So that's not a dream , it really happens then .
A coincidence ? But what kind of coincidence is that ? Strange .