The Talk with Takino
"You what!" Said Kanaye.
School was about to start in a few minutes, the boys had a little talk regarding Kanaye's secret.
"Why would you tell Sakaki my secret!"
"She was eager to find out ever since I went downstairs for lunch yesterday. Things would be suspicious if I hadn't told her." Rono said.
"Good point there." Tod said.
"Well, I guess you're right." Kanaye agreed.
"And besides, I made a promise that we would never keep secrets from each other." Rono added.
"Since when?" Kanaye asked.
"Ever since we were kids."
Kanaye surprised at his response, becomes curious about his history with her. Although, he was more worried about himself.
"Tell me one thing, does she really keep a secret?"
"Of course, she promised yesterday that she wouldn't tell anyone."
"Great."
Kanaye looks at Sakaki from afar and catches her facing the window beside her looking at the view of Tokyo, at least a few kilometers away.
"It's strange."
"What's strange?" Tod asked.
"Trusting a person like her, I'm guessing she's popular with the guys, right?" Kanaye commented.
"Well, in a way. I don't think she talks to many guys though. The only guy she talks to is you Rono." Tod faced Rono.
"That is true, considering she's just as shy as me."
"I guess." They both said.
"Well, time for me to go back. See you guys later."
"Later." Said both Kanaye and Tod.
Rono goes over to his desk placed by his long time friend, Sakaki, who is seemingly bored. She doesn't notice him, not even the noise he made. He thinks of something to distract her from her own world. Then, it hit him!
This was an old trick he used on her when they were little kids. Back in their playful days, he would meet her at the park to play. Sometimes he would see her sitting in one of the swings, waiting for his appearance. When he snuck up behind her successfully without noise causing her to look the other way, he leans close to Sakaki's neck and blows a small breeze on it. This causes her to freak out and blush, although he doesn't notice her blush anyways.
Coming back to the present, he does the same thing like back then. He blows on her neck, causing her eyes to widen, making her gasp and look around what caused the sudden breeze.
"Eek!" Sakaki got alarmed.
She looks around and notices that it was Rono's doing.
"Why did you that?" Sakaki asked.
"I just felt like it, been a long while since I did that!"
She pouts in disappointment for a bit and then transitions to smile. They both laugh it out just by thinking about those memories. Soon after the laughs died down, Sakaki then breaks the topic.
"So, did you tell him?" Sakaki asked worriedly.
"I have."
"What did he say?" Asked the tall and curious girl.
"He said that he's fine with it, as long as you don't tell anyone else."
"Great." Sighing in relief.
Sitting for a while on their desks until the teacher showed up, Sakaki thought about the idea of dating. She always wondered what it would feel like to be in a relationship with someone that you really liked. Even though she doesn't feel that way with anyone, or does she?
"Rono." Sakaki broke the silence.
"Uh huh?"
"What...do you think...about the idea of...d-dating?" Sakaki asked.
"What do you mean?"
"Like, accompanying someone that you truly love the most."
"Are you talking about family love or married couple love?"
Sakaki wasn't surprised on how clueless he was ever since back then.
"Married couple love." She said struggling to say those words.
"Oh that! I'm not sure, I never thought of the idea of being in a relationship with the person you love." Rono responded.
"I highly doubt that anyone would have those kinds of feelings for someone like me. I bet nobody likes me at this point." He added.
You're wrong. Sakaki thought.
"After all, I don't want to break people's hearts." Rono added.
"How so?"
"If a girl does ask me out and I accept, what if someone was already in love with that girl? I'm also afraid of falling in love too, the thought of getting rejected of my confession could might as well be one of my fears."
"I see, I never would have thought that you were afraid of something like that." Sakaki felt sorry.
"What about you Sakaki? Do you have anyone you're interested in?"
Sakaki immediately blushed as she was asked the unexpected question.
"N-not really, I don't think that any of the boys would have a liking for me." She said.
"What are you kidding me? I bet there are many boys falling for you right now!" Rono said while patting her back.
"I doubt it." Sakaki said with a blush.
The school bell rings, first period starts. As usual, Yukari fails to show up to her class. Everything was normal alright. She had then showed up about five minutes later, things changed when she wrote those words on the chalk board which read:
Class Representative
"Recently, a certain teacher has told me that each class is required to have a class representative. Since this is late request, I'll be choosing the class representative." She said with in an irritated tone.
Yukari looks around, she wants to choose the person who is capable for the job. But since she was to lazy to think about anything else, due to the fact that she stood up late the night before, she chose someone who looked smart for her.
"You, Mr. Ohyama!"
She points to a boy named Masaaki Ohyama, he wore glasses, stood 5'8 and has dark hair.
"Yes ma'am?" He said.
"From now on, you'll be the class representative!" Yukari exclaimed.
"What! B-but why me?" Masaaki asked.
"I don't know, you have glasses, so you must be smart." Yukari said.
"Just because I have glasses, doesn't mean that I'm that smart."
"Well, too late. There's a student council meeting after school, make sure to attend it."
"Yes ma'am." Masaaki sighed as he sat down.
Back to Sakaki and Rono, they both whisper about the situation.
"I feel bad for the guy, don't you?" Rono whispered to Sakaki.
"Indeed." She replied.
It was official, the class representative is now Masaaki Ohyama. Somehow, Rono felt that he might someday interact with the boy. But it won't be just any normal interaction, but a different one.
After first period had ended, everyone had a five minute break before the second. Kanaye decides to go do his business in the boy's restroom. He stands up slowly from his desk and walks outside of the classroom all the way to the restroom. Never has he thought that something interesting would happen in this time of day.
Tomo went outside of the classroom as well to do her business as well. She got out seconds before Kanaye did. Two minutes have passed for the both of them. Kanaye was first to come out. He opens the door out and goes to the direction of the classroom. That is until the girl's bathroom door swung out open causing him to collide into it. He falls back causing him to fall on his rear. He massages the bump on his head with eyes closed. Tears almost formed in his eyes, he was on the verge of crying.
"Hey! Watch how you're swinging the door open!" Kanaye yelled.
Never has he expected that the person who slammed him would be the girl of his dreams. Tomo looks behind the door and spots Kanaye looking down.
"Ah! I'm so sorry!" Tomo says walking and then squatting towards him.
Kanaye's eyes widen, he recognized that voice anywhere. It was the one and only Tomo Takino. He looks up, he notices Tomo looking. The two teenagers were looking deep into each other's eyes. Tomo is hypnotized by his yellow eyes and Kanaye loved the way her brown eyes shined. They both wanted the staring to last longer but then he blinked causing the two to snap out of it.
"Wait a minute, I know you! You're that guy who gave me the rag last time!" Tomo said astonished.
She looks at the purple bruise on his head and immediately reacts.
"I'm so sorry for slamming you with the door!" She said.
"I-I-It's f-fine." He stuttered.
"That's one nasty bruise you got there! Let me take you to the nurse's office." Tomo offered.
Kanaye nods, he couldn't refuse the offer. After all, he was feeling a bit hazy after the collision with the door.
Tomo felt extremely sorry for her accidental action. She noticed that he started walking funny, it looked like he was about to pass out. Tomo takes action and held Kanaye's hand leading him to the nurse's office.
When arriving, she steadily opens the door slowly this time, hoping not to hit anyone. The nurse is then informed about the situation, she gives Kanaye an ice pack to be placed on his bump. It was recommended that Kanaye would stay and lie down on the nursery bed for recovery, due to the dizziness. When he laid down, he went in a deep sleep in a flash. As it happened, Tomo stands beside Kanaye and places the ice pack on the bump on his head that fell off when he began sleeping.
"I'm sorry." She whispered to him with a sad face.
The nurse takes notice of her mood.
"Is it okay if I visit him during lunch?" Tomo asked the nurse.
"It's fine with me, just don't wake him up though. Let him have his rest."
At this time, the school bell for second period rang. Tomo was going to be tardy.
"I'll give you a pass to let the teachers know you were here."
"Thanks." Tomo said with a glum expression.
The nurse hands her the pass, Tomo leaves the office and makes her way to her classroom.
Minutes after the bell had rung, the teacher was already calling out for attendance. Tomo came inside the class in the middle of it. Everyone looked her way, all eyes were on her including Kimura.
"Care to explain why you were tardy?" He asked.
"I have a reason!" She said raising the pass in her hand.
Yomi was actually surprised on how she actually had a good reason why she was late. Normally, she would make up excuses, ever since middle school.
"She has a pass?" Yomi said quietly.
Kimura examines the pass, reading the description of the pass, he understands the situation.
"So you took an injured boy to the nurse's office. Seems understandable, go sit on your seat. You're excused."
Every student in the class stared at Tomo walking to her seat, including her friends.
Rono and Sakaki looked at each other with worried expressions.
Yomi was concerned for her friend, even if she was annoying and noisy at times, she still cared about her. People started gossiping in an instant.
"Now, now class. No need to spread false rumors, it's time for me to lecture you all. Now stay steady and focus."
He's right, I have to stay steady and focus. Get it together Ayumu! Osaka thought to herself.
"Get it together, get it together, get it together." Osaka chanted quietly, no one heard except Chiyo.
"Miss Osaka?" Chiyo whispered.
From there on, Kimura lectured the whole class for world history. For today, he had an activity for everyone. For this activity, you need to have a partner. The assignment was to make a claim and support it with evidence from the given article. There can only be one claim for each pair. As always, Sakaki got paired with Rono, Yomi with Tomo and Chiyo with Osaka. Since Kanaye was missing, Tod was left alone. But because of the situation, Kimura allowed to Tod to be in a group of three. At first, he wanted to be with Rono, but he noticed Rono and Sakaki talking and smiling to each other.
"I think it's best if leave them alone." He looks around some more and notices Kaorin working with Chihiro. He decides to work with them instead.
"Do you ladies mind if I could join your group?" Tod asked playfully.
"Of course not, have a seat." Kaorin was first to respond.
Things went normal at first but for Tomo, she seemed out of it. That was what Yomi noticed of her.
"What do you think happened with Tomo?" Rono asked Sakaki.
Sakaki simply raises her shoulders, she had no idea. He shrugs it off and continues working.
Just as things went smoothly for the rest without Tomo vexing the others, Yomi had to question her about the happening.
"Tomo." Yomi broke the silence.
"Yes?" Tomo replied in a soft and quiet tone.
"What happened back there, you're acting different."
"Oh really, I think not!" Tomo said proudly snapping back into that noisy and energetic girl everybody knows.
"Oh great, the Tomo we all know and love is back again." She said sarcastically.
"That's right!"
"But seriously, what happened back there?"
"He he, let's just say that...there was an accident."
Going back with the three person group that included Chihiro, Kaorin and Tod, conversations were made.
"Tod, do you know what happened with Kanaye?" Chihiro asked.
"Not a clue, what I know is that he's in the nurse's office right now."
"Too bad, I hope he's feeling okay." Chihiro was concerned."
"Chihiro, you worry too much for everyone, even for the littlest of things." Kaorin said.
"I can't help it, after all, I care for everyone." Chihiro said.
Hm, the more and more I learn about Kaorin's social life, the more I get curious of her. Tod thought.
"What!" Yomi said.
"You heard me." Tomo said with embarrassment.
Yomi started to laugh a bit because of her accidental actions.
"I can't believe that you got someone hurt just by opening the bathroom door!"
"It was an accident! It's not my fault that the door doors open out." Tomo crossed her arms.
"Well, that's a good reason. There was no reason to swing the door open. Have you at least apologized to him?" Yomi asked.
"I did."
"You said that he was the same guy who helped you out in the hall way right?"
"Yes?" Tomo said.
"That's bad, you're going to have to repay him somehow."
"How?"
"It's your choice, not mine. Just don't think of any crazy ideas."
"You mean like lifting up my skirt for him?" Tomo asked.
"Yes, especially that!"
Going back to Kaorin...
"So, tell me more about Kanaye. How is he like?" She asked.
"Hm. First thing first, he's a bit awkward sometimes, he's shy when it comes to girls, he's smart but he's not the athletic type. He tries his best though." Tod said.
"Really? Does he have any talents?' Chihiro asked as she filled in some answers on her paper.
"Well, I don't think you would call this a talent but he's good at giving people haircuts!" He said.
"Wow, how do you know?" Kaorin asked.
"Because at one point when we were hanging out at his house, he gave me a haircut. I remember I made a bet if he gave me a good haircut, I would pay him five hundred yen. Unfortunately, I ended up paying him in the end."
"No way, he's actually good? Has he tried it on a girl yet?"
"Actually, he has! From what I heard from his dad, Kanaye gave his mom a great haircut! She wanted the length of her hair to reach to her neck and Kanaye did just that with no errors!"
"He's that good huh? Maybe I should go ask him for a haircut." Chihiro said.
"Since he's awkward around girls other than his relatives, I'll make sure to accompany him too." Tod chuckled causing the two girls beside him to giggle as well.
Tod looks at the laughing Kaorin.
Wow, I never noticed this side of her. Was she always that cute? Tod thought.
Back to Rono and Sakaki...
"How's Neko-san?" Sakaki asked Rono.
"Oh Neko-san? She's been doing fine, come to think of it, she's been acting more lively than I remembered."
"How so?" Sakaki asked.
"Yesterday for example, when I came back from school, she jumped up to me. Luckily, I wasn't too tired out. Otherwise I would be tackled by my own cat!"
Sakaki giggles and blushes just by imagining Rono getting tackled by Neko-san.
"I can see it now." She giggles.
"Very funny." Rono said sarcastically.
Before finishing on writing his last sentence for the claim and evidence, he thought of an idea.
"Hey Sakaki. How about coming over to my place to do homework?" Rono said.
She finishes on writing out her last sentence as well and tells him her response.
"Sure, just let me call my mom before we leave. On the other hand, what gave you the idea of the sudden invitation?" Sakaki became curious.
"It's been a while since you've encountered Neko-san, right? How about if you two have a little reunion, I bet she'll be happy about it. After all, we both were the ones who kept her company at the park." Rono said.
"I guess you're right, sounds like a great idea. I'm looking forward to it!" She smiled.
After the world history had ended, the class then transitioned to classic literature. Nothing interesting happened the whole time, all they did was read one of the classic books. People were called upon to take turns to read. As soon as they finished the two chapters, the lunch bell finally rang.
Just like everyday, Rono would sit besides Sakaki to eat their own lunches out of their bentos, same as Osaka and Chiyo, and Yomi and Chihiro would ask Tomo to get them some bread and milk from the cafeteria. Tomo does just that, she runs to the cafeteria with all of her might to grab the bread. However, a thought came into mind. She remembers that she had to go visit Kanaye back at the nurse's office. She does him a favor by grabbing him some Yakisoba bread. When acquired, she runs to her classroom again and gives the requested bread to Yomi and Chihiro.
"Wow, you got them already?" Chihiro stunned.
"Yep! So did you time me?" Tomo asked Yomi.
"We were supposed to time you?" Yomi said being confused.
"Aw come on!"
She gives Chihiro her desired bread, same as Yomi.
"Thank you Tomo!" Chihiro thanked her.
"Thanks Tomo." Yomi thanked her.
"You're welcome." Tomo said as she turns around with two pieces of bread, one of her own and the other for Kanaye.
Yomi was first to notice, questions developed when Tomo left the room.
Now where is she going? Yomi thought. She then shrugs it off and starts eating her lunch.
Tomo on the other hand, walks to the nurse's office. She slides open the door slowly hoping not to wake anyone. She expected to see the nurse there, to her dismay, she wasn't there. The only patient there was Kanaye himself. She walks towards his sleeping body and sits down on an empty seat beside him. The only difference of him were the bandages wounded around his forehead.
She places her land in his cheek, checking to see if he was hot. He was found out to be warm. All of a sudden, he wakes up seconds after contact. He slowly opens up his eyes, his eyes started adjusting a little until his sight became crystal clear. Kanaye feels movement around him, so he turns around. The first person he saw after his sleep was Tomo Takino, looking over at him.
"Tomo!" He covers his lower part of his face only exposing his eyes and hair.
"What are you doing here?" Kanaye said with a blush that she would not notice.
"I just came here to see how you've been. That was a pretty crucial crash with the door back there, sorry about that." She said.
"Oh, um, n-no, it's f-fine!" He stuttered.
"Oh I almost forgot!" Tomo grabs the Yakisoba bread and hands it to him.
"Here, I got you this when lunch started. You're probably starving by now." Tomo says as she blushes.
Kanaye's stomach starts growling with hunger.
"Looks like I am." He said nervously.
Tomo starts chuckling.
I made her laugh! She sure sounds cute when she laughs. If only I had the guts to tell her that. Kanaye thought.
Kanaye unfolds the plastic from his bread, he gives a bite to the delicious bread. Tomo does the same with her's.
"Now that I think about it, I never found out your name. Mind telling me?" Tomo asked politely.
"Not at all! M-my name is Kanaye Nakahara." He said.
"Kanaye, huh? You probably already now my name, but I'll say it anyways. My name is Tomo Takino, nice to meet you." She said.
"N-nice to meet you." He said.
After three more bites of the bread, Tomo brings up something from before.
"About before, I never really thanked you that time."
"For what?" He questioned her.
"You know, when you offered me help back in the hallway."
"Oh, right."
"Thanks a lot for that. It's the first time a boy has ever offered me help, I really appreciate it." She said with a slight blush.
"No problem, it's the least I can do."
For the whole lunch period, they both chatted away. Kanaye of course enjoyed his time with Tomo. Sadly, it all had to end when the school bell rang. Tomo stands up and says her goodbyes to him.
"Bye Kanaye, hope you'll feel better soon!" She waves at him as she slowly walks to the door. She is soon stopped by Kanaye.
"Wait!"
"What's up?" She said casually.
"D-do...you think we can talk more like this another time?"
"Really? Am I not annoying?" She asked.
"Of course not, I enjoy spending my time with you!" His words came right out of his mouth. It caused Tomo to blush a bit.
"You really like talking to me do you?" She said, looking down.
Kanaye looks down, hoping to not of creeped her out. Out of surprise, she gives him something that he would never of thought he would get in his life!
"If you want, I can give you my number?" She said nervously.
"Really?" He said.
"Yeah, it's okay if you don't want it." She said.
"No it's fine, I'll take it!" He hands her his phone. She goes to the contacts list to add herself in his contacts. After that's done, she hands it back to him.
"You can message me anytime, call me after school just to make sure it's the right number, okay?"
"Okay, thank you!" Kanaye said.
"See you tomorrow!" She said as she left the room.
Wow, I actually got a girl's phone number! Kanaye thought with an excited face.
After school finished, Kanaye was able to walk properly again with no hassle. He thanks the nurse for taking care of him and leaves the room and the school as well. On the way outside, he walks out of the school gates and makes his way home. It wasn't too long of a walk, since he lived in the nearby neighborhood by the school.
When arriving inside his home, he is met with her little two twin sisters that had the ages of seven.
"I'm home!" Kanaye yelled.
"Welcome home Hun!" His mom said from the kitchen.
"Big brother!" They both said happily while running towards him to give him a hug on his waist.
"We missed you!"
"Same here, nice to see you, Mai and Maiko." He pats on the top of their heads.
Both Mai and Maiko have brown hair, also the same color tone as Kanaye. They both stood at the height of 3'12 and still have their grade school uniforms on. They may be identical by appearance, but their personalities are not.
Mai Nakahara, the typical seven year old girl with long hair and short bangs on her forehead, she always has loads of energy within her. She loves it when she and her family spend their time outside, even when it's just for a minute. She has the taste for the need of adventure, one day wanting to get to know the world better.
Maiko Nakahara, way different than her twin sister Mai. She has short hair reaching her neck and bangs on her forehead as well. She likes spending her time indoors. She isn't usually the type of girl who would like to spend time outside. Especially on a hot and sunny day, as long if there's a place to feel refreshed and cool down, then she's set. Since Maiko is always inside, she helps her mother the most in the kitchen, even her mother compares Mai to Maiko, although still loving them both the same way.
But the thing they have most in common is that they both like spending time with each other and they both care for their dear brother. They always looked up to him ever since they were born.
"Mommy and us cooked up dinner, all we have to do is wait for daddy!" Mai said.
"We both helped mommy this time." Maiko said.
"Really? I'm looking forward of what you two made for me. Hopefully it'll be good."
"It will, just wait until daddy comes back."
"Alright, call me when he comes back." He says as he walks up the stairs.
"Okay!" They both said cheerfully, running back to the kitchen where their mom is located.
Kanaye sighs because of the long day at school, even though he slept for most of the day.
"Wonder how my year of high school will turn out." He said.
He opens up his phone, goes through his contacts and looks at Tomo's number. He immediately thought of an image of her.
"Should I call her, is now a good time. Nah, maybe I should wait a bit."
