Mixed Feelings: A Fresh Start
Sunlight shone through the curtains, slightly lighting up the room. Curled up, under the blanket, on her bed, was the one and only Takane Enomoto. She groaned as she slowly awoken. As usual, she was grumpy. It wasn't new for her to wake up in a foul mood.
"I don't want to go to school today," Takane let out another groan. It was too much of a bore for her. It was the same every year. People avoided her for the cold glare that she always had. She never bothered to create bonds with others.
"Takane! Wake up! You'll be late for school!" Her grandmother called out.
"Maybe if I tell her that I'm not feeling well then I'll get to skip school," Takane thought then sighed. "That'd only worry her though. I shouldn't do that."
She could hear footsteps. Takane didn't want to go to school then again who does? Well some do. Though Takane didn't want to. She just wanted to stay in bed.
"Takane, you'll be late for school. Wake up," her grandmother walked in.
Takane groaned. "I don't want to!"
Her grandmother opened the curtains. "Its your third year of high school and may I add its the first day!"
"I don't care."
"Though the school informed me that you'll be in a different class."
Takane removed the blanket off her head. "Different class?"
"Its a special needs class. Your teacher will be the one that was with you last year on the sports festival," her grandmother explained.
"Tateyama sensei?" Takane raised an eyebrow. She remembered the man that took care of her and Haruka Kokonose during the sports festival in the previous year. Why him?
"Yes that man. Anyways, get ready and go or else you'll be late!"
Takane groaned for the one hundredth time. Once again she had to return to school.
Listening to music, Takane walked towards the building known as school. The school was close by so all she had to do was walk. She didn't really mind though she wanted to stay home. She always wanted to stay home. Though she couldn't do anything about it.
As she was by the front of the school building, she removed her headphones and wrapped them around with the cord before putting them in her bag. She had her IPod in her pocket and walked through the front doors. She headed to the school's main office and stormed into it. She sighed as she looked at the paper that the school have given to grandmother. On it was the classroom number.
She headed to her new classroom with the usual scowl present on her face. Students that saw her deadly eyes merely winced and hurriedly walked away, avoiding her. Takane was used to it though it wasn't as if she cared. She simply proceeded on what she was doing. Finally she had arrived to her destination.
She swung the classroom door open and glared at everyone in the room which was only the one and only Haruka Kokonose. He jumped at the sound of the door being slammed open. He turned to face her and winced at her glare. He eventually managed a smile and slightly waved at her. "H-Hi," he greeted nervously.
"Hey," Takane muttered. She looked around and saw that there was only two desks. Haruka sat on one of them. She sighed and sat at the empty desk. She dropped her bag on her desk.
In front of them was the teacher's desk. It was covered in a mess of papers and other items. Judging from the items that decorated the classroom, Takane figured the teacher was a science guy. She sighed once again and leaned back in her seat. Haruka glanced and took a deep breath.
"So how are you?" Haruka asked, nervously.
Takane glanced at him then shrugged. "Tired...you?"
Haruka smiled. "Kinda excited."
"Excited for what?" Takane asked, impassively.
"Well it's a new school year. In fact it's my third year and I'm excited for what this year has to offer me," Haruka explained with a smile.
Takane was silent and only stared at him. Something about him just made her gaze at him. Wanting to know more. She had met him a few times before but that was only because they couldn't join the school's events because of their medical conditions. Now that they were in the same class, she'll be spending more time with him.
Haruka chuckled a bit nervously. "So uh I hope we can be friends."
Takane nodded. "Sure."
Haruka smiled widely. "Great!"
The bell rung, signaling the start of class. Takane glanced at the teacher's desk. No one sat there. Takane glanced at the door. No one opened it.
"Where's the teacher?" Takane questioned.
Haruka shrugged. "I'm not sure."
Just on cue, the door swung open. A male teacher with glasses and a science lab coat walked in. He sighed while rubbing the back of his neck as he closed the door and made his way towards his desk. Takane raised an eyebrow at the teacher. Haruka raised both of his eyebrows in surprise.
"Hometown is starting," the teacher muttered.
"T-Tateyama sensei?" Haruka spoke in surprise. "Your our teacher?"
"You look like shit," Takane stated.
"Well thank you Ms. Enomoto. Same goes to you," he spat back casually.
"Touché."
"Anyways, as you can see your former care taker during the school events is now your teacher!" Their teacher spoke proudly.
"Well isn't that great," Takane rolled her eyes.
"At least it's someone we know that knows how to take care of us," Haruka smiled at Takane.
"I guess so," Takane sighed.
"Well you two can call me Tateyama sensei or Kenjirou," Kenjirou smiled.
"Alright, Kenjirou," Takane shrugged.
"Well let's just start class now!" Kenjirou started to write on the board.
The classroom was silent as they both did class work. Kenjirou was working on paper work while Haruka and Takane worked on class work. Takane wore her headphones as she listened to music. At least Kenjirou allowed her to. Though she wanted to take a nap but she struggled with the work.
Takane glanced at Haruka and frowned seeing that he was already finished and was drawing on his notebook. How can he be finished?, Takane thought. She was having difficulties with the class work. She couldn't focus hence she couldn't figure out the answers. Her head was fuzzy.
"Need help?" Haruka asked with a friendly smile.
"...yeah," Takane admitted and removed her headphones.
Haruka moved his desk a bit closer to her and glanced at her work. "Ah I see, you did it incorrectly," he leaned a bit closer. "Here. What your supposed to do here is..."
Takane wasn't listening to him. She was too busy blushing. Her mind went crazy.
He's so close!
Too close!
Why? Why am I like this?
I'm just not used to this.
Yeah.
That's it.
Takane subconsciously leaned closer as well. She could feel his warmth even though it was only their shoulders touching. His scent was faint but present. She felt flustered. Haruka was completely oblivious.
Her cheeks were a light shade of pink. Kenjirou didn't bother to pay attention to them as he dealt with paperwork. Haruka was still explaining the work to her. Takane sighed once Haruka finished explained. "Thanks," she muttered.
"You're welcome!" Haruka flashed her a friendly smile.
Takane glanced at him and her face reddened as she realized how close they were. Their shoulders touched and their faces were merely inches away from each other. Haruka noticed her face reddened but only misunderstood. "What's wrong Takane? You're face is red," he tilted his head slightly.
Takane nodded quickly. "Y-Yeah I'm fine!"
"Are you sure? Your face is red. Are you sick?" Haruka asked with concern.
"Like I said, I'm fine," Takane growled.
"Okay," Haruka smiled once again. He resumed on his drawings.
Takane raised an eyebrow.
Why isn't he moving away from me?
Why does he have to be so close to me?
Why am I like this?
Takane sighed and leaned away from him and resumed working. She didn't listen to him a bit about the work so she understood some of it but still felt confused. Maybe it was because of her illness. Her illness did made her mind fuzzy a lot. She sighed.
"Are you two done?" Kenjirou asked.
"Yes sir," Haruka smiled.
Takane sighed as she finished guessing on the last question. "Yeah."
"Then hand it in," Kenjirou sighed.
They both stood up and handed the worksheets to him. They say back down and waited for instructions. Kenjirou graded the work then sighed and stood up. The two watched him without saying any words. Takane with a bored expression and Haruka with curiosity in his expression.
"Alright you two, let's move on with the lesson," Kenjirou faced the board.
"And that's my cue," Takane muttered and slipped on her headphones. Music played as she stared at the board that Kenjirou scribbled on. She instantly grew bored and glanced at Haruka who was happily drawing on his notebook. She sighed and looked back at Kenijrou who was talking while writing on the board. It was just a normal yet boring school day.
"Lunch time!" Haruka cheered as the bell rung.
"Alright now you can eat." Kenjirou sat back in his seat. "Though just to be safe, you two have to eat lunch here."
"Isolation isn't anything new," Takane spat bitterly.
"Whatever Ms. Enomoto. Just eat your lunch," Kenjirou ordered.
"Yeah, yeah." Takane waved her hand and took out her small blue lunch box.
Haruka was already stuffing his face with negima and looked at Takane. "Muah are yew harving for wunch, Tawkarneh?" (What are you having for lunch, Takane?) He asked with his mouth full.
"Ew! Haruka don't talk with your mouth full!" Takane scolded and gave Kenjirou as if to say "do something".
Kenjirou sighed and glanced at the two. "Manners, Haruka," he reminded.
Haruka nodded. "Fowwie." (Sorry)
"Tch. You're such a kid, Haruka." Takane scoffed.
Haruka swallowed and chuckled. "Sorry, Takane." He flashed her a smile and Takane sighed.
"Just don't do it again," Takane muttered. She removed the lid of her lunch box revealing one of her favorite cuisines, tamagoyaki.
"Whoa! That looks good, Takane!" Haruka gasped dramatically.
"It's just tamagoyaki made by my grandma," Takane stated and shrugged.
"Can I try?" Haruka asked with a wide smile and sparkling eyes.
Takane stared at him. His smile irritated her though eventually, after getting lost in space, she was attracted by it. "I...I guess you can have a bite," she muttered while avoiding eye contact.
"Yay!" Haruka cheered.
Takane held up her small fork that had a piece of the food stuck to it. "If you have your own fork then-" she was interrupted by Haruka. He leaned forward a bit and held her wrist in order to try the food from the fork. He eventually released her and leaned away with a smile on his face.
"It's really good," he said.
"You just..." Takane didn't finish her sentence as her face slowly reddened.
What just happened?
He just...
And he ate it...
Just like that!
Without a warning!
Takane shook her head and glared at the oblivious teen that sat next to her. Haruka continued to happily eat his lunch despite the glare that Takane was giving him. Meanwhile, Kenjirou was in his own world. Haruka glanced at Takane and was silent for a moment. "Yew whant shomne?" (You want some?) Haruka offered while holding gesturing towards the negima.
"No." Takane shook her head.
Haruka swallowed. "Are you okay?" He asked, worriedly.
Takane nodded and sighed while slumping her shoulders. "Just tired," she replied. It wasn't a complete lie. Most of the time, she was tired. It was nothing new for her to feel at least slightly fatigue.
"Okay." Haruka slowly nodded.
"Bye sensei!" Haruka smiled and waved at their teacher.
"Bye," Takane spoke aridly and waved a bit.
"Bye you two. Be careful!" Kenjirou waved back at them.
The two left the school building together. One had a smile present on their face and the other had a scowl on their face. It was silent between the two teens though it didn't really bother the male. It bothered Takane though. She glanced up at the taller male and took a deep breath.
"So...why are we walking together?" Takane asked.
"Hm? Oh well don't friends do that?" Haruka asked.
"I g-guess so," Takane muttered. "Though I don't really love far from here so it's fine. You can go home."
Haruka shook his head. "No don't worry about me! As long as I get to spend more time with Takane then I'm fine!" He smiled at her.
Takane blushed deeply.
Why does he say it so easily?!
His easy-going attitude bothered her. He spoke those words easily without feeling anything like embarrassment or nervousness. It irritated the female. Though she somewhat...admired it. How? She didn't know.
"Takane, do you consider me as your friend?" Haruka asked while looking down. He was nervous about her response.
Takane was silent for a moment.
So he can get nervous huh?
She sighed but managed a smile. "Of course! You're my first and only friend!" She assured.
Haruka looked at her and smiled. "I'm glad to hear that!"
Takane chuckled and remained smiling. She meant those words that she had recently spoken. He was her first friend. He was her only friend. Eventually they arrived to her small house.
"Well thanks for walking me here even though I didn't ask for it," Takane said and sighed.
"I'll see you tomorrow!" Haruka smiled widely at her.
"Sure." Takane managed a smile.
He waved at her as he slowly walked away. "Bye Takane!"
"Bye Haruka! Be careful!" She called out before walking in her small home. "I'm home!" Takane announced.
"Welcome back, Takane," her grandmother greeted her. "How was school?"
Takane shrugged. "It was fine."
"That's good."
Without another word, Takane walked to her room and dropped her school bag on the floor. She laid down on her bed and sighed in relief. "Finally we're reunited!" She exclaimed as she snuggled in her bed. She sighed and stared at a blank wall.
"Haruka Kokonose," she muttered. "He such a nuisance." She shook her head slightly. "But he's...something good too." She slowly closed her eyes as her fatigue had increased. "He's...nice."
In an instant, Takane had fallen asleep without even noticing. She knew Haruka for most of her high school life even though it was only due to being inside avoiding situation where she could collapse. She knew enough about him to know that he was a nice person. Almost like a teddy bear. A soft, caring, and sweet teddy bear.
He was her first and only friend.
A/N: I finally wrote chapter 2 and finished it! Though the ending was kinda rushed so I'm sorry! Well that's it for now. I hope you enjoyed it!