I am not a Robot:
Chapter five: His tears
"Hajime, what do you want to do first?" Nanami asked with expectation hinted in her eyes. Hajime stood there, unresponsive. Nanami tilted her head. "I think it's great that you have a new look, but you could've waited until the next time I came over, but you didn't. So, what did you have in mind...?"
"..."
Nanami blinked in confusion. She put together that he doesn't really know how to begin the events. She inwardly sighed and decided to help him out. "Well, since we're out in front of a game shop, we'll probably start off here. Then, we'll take turns picking out places to go to. That should probably work to benefit both of us." She suggested with a small smile.
Hajime scratched the back of his head in thought and nodded. "Okay." He agreed.
When the two of them walked into the game store, Nanami felt as if she had just entered Heaven. She hadn't actually been inside one before since either Fujisaki or Souda would just give her games, so this was a great experience for her. She quickly made her way to the new releases and her smile grew. Hajime followed, less enthusiastic.
"These all look really fun." She mumbled to herself, trying to decide what to get. She turned to Hajime. "How about if we pick out a game for us to play sometime soon once we finish the dating sim?"
Hajime nodded, causing Nanami to puff out her cheeks in frustration. She didn't really like having this one-sided conversation. Hajime stared at her for a moment before bringing his hand up to his mouth and quickly turning around, facing the other direction. Nanami tilted her head when she noticed that his shoulders were shaking. He suddenly let out a quiet laugh, surprising Nanami. A lot. The laugh was gradually getting louder until he was laughing so much that he was almost crying. Nanami's curiosity kicked in.
"What's funny?" She asked. Whatever it was, it must've been especially funny for Hajime to laugh like this. Or just laugh. Period.
Hajime tried to control himself, only quietening his fit slightly. "Y-Your face i-is j-j-just-!" He began in between his laughter. "Fricken' hilarious!" He finished.
"Is that what all this laughing is about? I don't really see the amusement in that..." Nanami told him honestly.
Hajime quickly composed himself, stopping his fit immediately. "Me neither. Just pick a game." He replied. Nanami raised a brow, confused further, but decided not to question it further. It wasn't like he was going to admit anymore than he already has. He's already surprised Nanami a lot within the first ten minutes of seeing each-other today. But, nevertheless, she smiled. At least she could tell that he was enjoying himself. She was going to search through the endless stack of games until Hajime picked out a game and walked over to the counter. She watched him for a moment. He was buying the game!
Soon after, he came back with the game in a plastic bag. "It had high rating reviews. It seemed logical to buy it and see if it was as great as people made it out to be." He explained.
Nanami stared at him. "Yeah, I guess that's fine. But, I feel like I should at least pay for half of it." She told him. He just shook his head.
"We're not arguing about this." He stated. "These conversations can go on for hours, but the buyer will always win."
He then began to walk away, out of the store. Nanami sighed and quickly caught up with him.
"So, where do you want to go?" She asked him.
He glanced around and then pointed at another store filled with smaller items. From what she could see, they were all fairly cheap, so it was a good choice. She nodded and the two of them walked over there.
There were a lot of items in the store including mugs, plush dolls, figurines, books, a small variety of movies and more. A lot of the things were pretty cute, but she wondered what would've caught Hajime's eye to bring him over to the store. He was just walking around, looking at everything really. She decided to buy him something in return for the game. It was difficult, considering that he didn't share his interests all that often.
Her eyes caught onto a giant rabbit plush. It was almost as big as her. It was white and wore a short, pink dress, necklace and with a bow in its ear. It had small, white wings sewed onto the back of it and held a giant stick looking thing that you would often see in Magical Girl anime. She smiled at it. Without thinking she told the seller that she would buy it and gave them the amount. She held it in her arms as Hajime came back, nothing new in his hand.
"What in the world is that?" He asked, narrowing his eyes.
"It's a rabbit." She replied. "It should be named Usami."
Hajime rolled his eyes. "That's a little less creative than most names I've heard of..." He muttered.
Nanami's shoulders slouched over in disappointment. "But...I thought you would've liked it...even if it was just a little..." She mumbled.
Hajime folded his arms. "The guilt tripping doesn't work on me." He explained.
Nanami frowned. "Aw...I thought that was going to work..." She said.
Hajime sighed. "But, it's kind of...fitting, I guess..." He muttered.
Nanami stared at him with curiosity glinting in her eyes. She tried to place a character on him, but he seemed to change a lot from when she first met him. It's like he is a different person all together. She mentally shook her head. She would figure all of that out later.
She held the large plush out in front of him. "Then, here. Take it. I bought it for you to remember this day." She told him with a sweet smile.
Hajime blinked, looking slightly shocked for a split-second before composing himself quicker than the last time. "I appreciate the offer, but-"
"Nope." Nanami interrupted, still smiling. "You said this before, and I quote: These conversations can go on for hours, but the buyer will always win. I think that's what you said, anyway..."
Hajime grunted before gently taking the rabbit out of Nanami's hands. He stared at it with annoyance. "Is it mocking me...?" He asked, growling.
Nanami giggled. "Hajime, I don't think that a stuffed animal can do that. You're being paranoid..." She informed.
Hajime glanced from the rabbit to Nanami, his face still showing annoyance. "Fine...but if it ends up being possessed, we're playing a penalty game..." He grunted.
"Hajime, if any stuffed animal ends up being possessed it would be that one." Nanami stated as she pointed over to a stuffed bear that was half black, and half white. The white side having a normal black buttoned eye and a cute mouth, while the over half had a red eye in the shape of something representing a lightning bolt, the mouth showing sharp teeth. It was held by a teenager with long, out of control blond hair held in two ponytails clipped by two hairclips representing the bear. She looked very familiar to Nanami, but couldn't really place it. She was talking to a girl around the same height as her who had short, black hair, and looked more composed.
"So, what do you think, sis?" The blond asked as she held the bear in front of her face. "Does this bring out the despair...?"
"Sure." The raven-haired girl answered with a nod. The blond frowned as she lowered the bear.
"Aw...come on! You can be a little more enthusiastic...pwease...?" She whined, her voice higher than before.
The raven-haired girl didn't reply. She instead glanced over to the direction of Nanami and Hajime and looked away shyly for a moment before she whispered something to the other and walked over towards the two. Nanami blinked at the girl, confused.
The girl stared up at Hajime for a moment for a moment before sighing. "Apologies. I thought you were someone else." She said, disappointment hinted in her voice.
Hajime stared at her. "You really don't know who I am? I thought you were more intelligent than that, but I must've been mistaken." He stated.
The girl's mouth opened slightly. "Are you I-?" She began until she was cut off by the ahoge-wearer.
"Hajime now." Hajime stated. "What are you and Enoshima doing here, Ikusaba?"
"I see you've started taking an interest in things now." The girl – Ikusaba – observed. "Junko and I are just looking for anything that might scare a child."
"Something about 'despair' again?" Hajime asked.
Ikusaba nodded. She glanced down at Nanami for a moment and looked back up at Hajime. "So...Hajime, you have obtained a friend, or acquaintance?" She asked, slightly curious.
Nanami looked up at Hajime who just narrowed his eyes. Ikusaba shrugged that off and glanced back at Nanami. "Ikusaba Mukuro. Hajime and I are acquaintances. You are...?"
"Nanami Chiaki." She answered politely.
"Ah. Fujisaki Chihiro's cousin. The Gamer...I see..." Ikusaba murmured. "I am in his class. I am the Soldier. And my sister over there is Enoshima Junko; the Gyaru, Gyaru."
"It's nice to meet you." Nanami told her.
"Oi! Mukuro! You like Naegi, we get it! Hurry your ass up over here already before I kick it!" Enoshima shouted from the distance, causing Ikusaba to scowl at her.
"Naegi...?" Nanami asked. "Do you mean Naegi Makoto in your class...?"
Ikusaba glanced back at her, trying to hide a deep blush now present on her cheeks. "I-I shall meet with you two later. I'm afraid if I stay too much longer that she will write it on a billboard..." With that, she rushed back over to Enoshima.
"Upupupu...!" Enoshima said as they walked away.
Nanami looked back at Hajime. "How long have you two known each-other?" She asked as she tilted her head.
Hajime shrugged. "Who knows?" He said. "Can we go somewhere else now?"
Nanami frowned. "You're avoiding the question." She told him. "That's something that Fujisaki and Souda do all the time."
"I didn't avoid it. I answered it with another question. I ask again. Can we go somewhere else now?" He repeated.
Nanami sighed. "Maybe you'll tell me later..." She mumbled. Hajime shrugged as Nanami lead him over to the arcade – something new to both of them, though, Nanami knew the basics.
"Let's see..." Nanami began. "Do you want to try the claw game?" She asked as she pointed at said game that was filled with more stuffed animals.
Hajime glanced at the machine for a moment before looking back at Nanami with a face that said; 'are you serious?', he sighed, following her over to the machine, wondering how she was being so energetic all of the sudden.
Nanami already had a coin ready, holding it until she decided which one she wanted. She smiled and slid the coin into the slot, gripping onto the control stick. She moved the claw around a bit until she pressed the button. Slowly, the claw was making its way down until it gripped onto one of the stuffed toys. It slowly came back up, revealing the half white, half pink rabbit, dropping it down the slope. The toy slid down until it eventually fell down the hole. Nanami bent down and grabbed her new prize.
"That was fun." She said as she turned to face Hajime. "Do you want a try?"
Hajime shook his head. "I think I've had enough of all this...cute stuff..." He replied.
"I'm glad you think it's cute, Hajime." Nanami said as she headed off to the next game.
"You know that's not what I meant!" Hajime called out.
The two continued to play games, Nanami noticing how much Hajime was actually smiling now. It's like he changed his entire personality when he changed his look. She thought it was pretty amazing, to be honest.
The two of them shared many bags full of prizes and souvenirs that they had gotten through the day so far. It earned some stunned looks from passer-bys. Nanami glanced at Hajime from the corner of her eye and saw him going through the bags. Her smile grew. She thought that he looked quite excited about all the stuff that they had gotten. Hajime blinked and looked at Nanami raising an eyebrow.
"What are you giving me that look for?" He asked sceptically.
Nanami shrugged. "You just seem happy is all...that makes me glad." She replied.
Hajime's eyes were shining for a split-second before he looked away. "Do you always have to do that?" He groaned, scratching the back of his head.
Nanami stared at him for a moment. "Do what?" She asked.
Hajime looked back at her. "That!" He said. "The whole 'innocent' thing."
"Well, I'm just telling you what I'm thinking..." Nanami told him.
"I'm glad that you told me to come here, Hajime." She added. "It was a good time. Very different from what I'm used to doing. You're very good at making people happy."
Hajime took a sudden interest in the ground. "Well, if I can be honest...this is my first time doing this sort of thing..."
Nanami blinked. "Really? But, you kept me really entertained for the whole time. It's like you have done this a hundred times before..."
Hajime quickly looked at Nanami. "I'm not that kind of guy!"
"I wasn't trying to imply that at all." Nanami replied. "I was just saying that you're very good at this kind of thing. It's like what you would do in a dating sim."
Hajime sighed. "Yeah...I know what you meant..."
Nanami stood up, carrying her bags. "I had a really fun time, Hajime. We should do this again sometime." She told him with a soft smile.
Hajime also stood up. "You're going already?" He asked, a hint of annoyance in his voice.
Nanami nodded. "I really have to go. Besides, all the stores are starting to close now. We can't do all that much with them closed."
Hajime folded his arms. "Fine then...we'll go back to the usual then. It wasn't like I didn't see this coming or anything..."
"Hajime," Nanami began. "Are you telling me that you're...sad?"
This took the ahoge-wearer by surprise. He stared at her with widened eyes. He stood there for a moment before finally being able to speak. "Well, I just thought we would hang out for a little longer is all...not many people bother with me for this long..."
"We'll see each-other tomorrow, Hajime. It's not like-"
"You don't know that though!" Hajime suddenly yelled, causing Nanami to flinch. "Something could happen to one of us, or...!" He trailed off.
Nanami gave him a sad smile, realizing what he was getting at. "Well, how about we make a promise to each-other." She suggested, getting Hajime's attention. "I promise I will visit you every day for at least an hour and a half. And maybe we can do something together on the weekends. It's not like I'm doing all that much on them anyway..."
Hajime's eyes began to feel weird. Soon his face was feeling hot and wet. He looked up at the sky. It wasn't like it was raining or anything, so how did his face get wet? He quickly wiped the wetness away, but it was soon quickly replaced. He didn't understand what was going on.
Nanami stared at Hajime in shock. She never expected him to cry this much. She wasn't quite sure on what to do. She wasn't good around people who were upset. She didn't know how to make Hajime feel better. He was wiping away the tears, but he was like a never ending fountain – the tears kept on coming. Nanami set her bags down. It was good that by this point that there practically wasn't anyone there. She would have to do something that she heard comforted people. She walked close to Hajime and wrapped her arms around him.
"It's called a hug, Hajime." She told him, earning a slight chuckle.
"I know what it's called..." He said with a small smile.
Nanami looked up at him, still holding the hug. "Are you feeling better?" She asked, concerned.
Hajime nodded, the tears beginning to slow down. "Yeah...but can you let go? People don't really hug for this long..."
Nanami let go, still looking up at the taller teen, who laughed at himself.
"This isn't really normal..." He told himself, laughing. "I'm not normally this...emotional..."
"It's fine." Nanami told him. "Those are 'happy tears'. That means you can do that for as long as you want and it's okay..."
Hajime soon finished wiping away the tears and gave Nanami a sweet smile – a face that suited him quite well, actually. "I must've looked really weak, huh?"
"No, it's fine." Nanami replied, shaking her head.
"I just..." Hajime began. "I-I guess...you're my first real friend..." He admitted.
Nanami tilted her head. "I am? What about Ikusaba?"
"I guess I sort of know her. But she barely sees me. She comes over only a few times over a period of months. So, I guess it's more 'acquaintances' than friends."
"Oh. Well, in that case...I'm honoured to be that first friend." Nanami told him.
"D-Don't say it like that..." Hajime said; face beginning to turn bright pink as Nanami giggled.
Nanami yawned, still tired from the events of yesterday with Hajime. She was now back at school, sitting at a table with Souda, Fujisaki and Oowada. True, she's normally pretty tired most of the time, but she was just about ready to pass out. She spent the whole night thinking about Hajime and how much he had cried over her. It was like looking at a kicked puppy. It was sad, sad to the point that she felt like she would cry. But she didn't know if that was possible considering her situation.
She listened as the others at the table talked amongst one-another. Though, it wasn't like she was listening enough to quite remember what they were saying.
She felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around, expecting to see someone like Komaeda or someone else in her class. But no. It was probably the last person she expected to see here.
"Hajime?" She asked. Everyone else at the table stopped their conversations and stared at the new arrival.
"Who else do you know with this hairstyle?" Hajime asked.
Nanami shrugged. "I can think of one."
Hajime groaned. "Don't answer that then."
"Um...excuse me..." Fujisaki began to talk to Hajime. "You wouldn't happen to be related to Naegi by any chance, would you?"
Hajime shook his head, not saying a word. It was like he was staring the others down, like what he did when he first met her.
Souda stood up from where he was sitting and stood face-to-face with Hajime, a decently serious look on his face. The two stared at each-other for a long period of time as Fujisaki inched towards Oowada for safety, feeling as if there was going to be a lot of sparks flying. Nanami could only watch as the two had their stare-down. Souda turned to Nanami.
"Are you kidding me? This is the 'friend' you were talking about?" Souda whined.
"You already told him we were friends?" Hajime asked.
Nanami sighed. "Calm down, it's not like I said that he wasn't a boy."
"Are you like her brother?" Hajime asked in a bored tone. "You two don't look alike."
"Ah...no...?" Souda replied.
"Okay, then are you her boyfriend...?" Hajime interrogated.
"N-No..." Souda answered.
"Then I don't see any reason for you to question why the two of us are hanging out with each-other." Hajime said with a glare. Souda crinkled his nose.
"Argh! Shut up!" He yelled.
"Those two words just proved that you don't disagree with me and you have no comeback." Hajime muttered.
"What was that?" Souda yelled through his teeth.
"If I'm correct, you would be Souda, correct?" Hajime asked.
"What's it to you?" Souda asked in annoyance.
Hajime smirked. "In my opinion, that sounds more like a last name than a first. And every time she brought you up in a conversation, she called you 'Souda'. So, that would mean that you two mustn't be all that close after all..." He finished.
Souda stood there in shock with his mouth wide open, revealing his shark-like teeth. "H-Huh?" He screamed.
Oowada whistled, impressed. "Well, he got you there!" He stated.
"Ah...Souda-kun is going to be upset again...!" Fujisaki said.
"Ah, sorry Souda..." Nanami apologised.
"Calling me 'Souda' won't help me in this conversation!" Souda yelled.
"Sorry, force of habit." Nanami stated.
Hajime folded his arms. "No wonder she is in such a rush to get back to you so quickly...you're so annoyingly over-protective that it's sickening to look at."
"What do you know, huh?" Souda yelled.
"Apparently a lot. Because I believe that I have just won this argument..." Hajime finished.
Souda clenched his teeth together. Nanami could practically see a punch-on happening from a mile away, so she went to the liberty of introducing everyone before that moment could happen.
"Hajime, you should know these people. As you know, this is Souda Kazuichi, Super Duper High-School Level Mechanic. Fujisaki Chihiro, Super Duper High-School Level Programmer and Oowada Mondo, Super Duper High-School Level Gang Leader." Nanami said, introducing everyone at the table as she pointed at them. "And this is my friend Hajime."
The three stared at Hajime for a moment as if they were expecting more.
"So," Souda began with a smirk. "What's his talent...?"
"Huh...?" Nanami asked in surprise.
Souda's smirked grew. "Well, to even be near this school, you must have a hell of a talent."
Nanami didn't know what to do. She didn't even know that Hajime had permission to be in here. Hajime, however, looked as if he had himself covered.
"If you want the answer, you can go ask the Soldier or the other one...what's her name...?" Hajime wondered out loud.
"Enoshima?" Fujisaki suggested.
"Yeah, sure. If that's her name. She carries a weird stuffed animal around with her all over the place." Hajime replied.
"Oh yeah...that thing...she calls it Monobear or some shit like that..." Oowada said.
"Well, why can't you tell us?" Souda growled.
Hajime rolled his eyes. "If I told you, you would want to hear it from someone else to see whether or not I'm lying. Not like they'll tell you anyway..." He answered.
Nanami knew that these two were far from getting along. Oh well. At least they wouldn't have to deal with each-other in class.
"Sorry about that, Souda..." Nanami told the mechanic as they entered the classroom. "Hajime isn't good around other people yet..."
Souda folded his arms with a scowl on his face. "I could see that...!" He said.
Nanami sighed. "Souda, maybe you should give him a chance. He's not that bad of a person..."
"I'll believe that when I stop being motion sick..." Souda grumbled.
Nanami knew that it was almost impossible to reason with Souda when he was in a mood. He just doesn't like anyone else's way but his. She felt that it was probably best to leave it at that for now.
"Ah well," Souda said as he sat down in his chair. "At least I won't have to deal with him anymore."
Nanami stared at him for a moment before sitting down in her own chair and let out another small yawn. "I guess that's true..." She mumbled.
"Nanami-san..." Nanami looked at Komaeda who had yet another concerned look on his face. "Are you and Souda fighting again...?"
Nanami smiled and shook her head. "No. He's just being over-protective again. I made another friend that he doesn't get along well with." She explained.
"Oh." Komaeda said. "Well, as long as it's nothing serious. I would hate to think that you two aren't getting along again. It must've been really awkward..."
"It was. But this is just how we'll always be with each-other, I think..." Nanami replied.
Komaeda showed Nanami a sad smile. "You know, when you two had your first argument, it really did make me feel like trash, knowing it was kind of over me and such..." He explained as Nanami blinked. "But, I glad I'm not causing any trouble anymore..."
"You never caused any trouble. In fact, I think it made Souda a little less jumpy about my decisions. So don't put yourself down like that, okay?" Nanami replied.
Komaeda frowned. "Only if you say so, Nanami-san..."
Nanami tilted her head. She wasn't sure why Komaeda was acting like he was to blame for anything. And the whole thing about calling himself 'trash' wasn't helping her feel comfortable either...he even looked paler than usual...he almost looked so pale that he was practically transparent...she decided to leave it be for now. After all, other people are complicated...
"Hm...!" Mioda hummed extremely loud. When nobody asked about it, she ran towards Nanami's desk. "Nanami-chan! Nanami-chan!"
"What is it?" Nanami asked.
Mioda smiled widely. "What should your ship-name be?" She asked.
"Ship-name?" Nanami asked.
"Yeah! For you and Komaeda-chan!" The musician continued.
"It's not like that, Mioda..." Komaeda stated nervously.
"What does she mean, Nagito?" Nanami asked curiously.
"Ah...how do I put this...?" Komaeda wondered aloud. "She thinks that we might be a couple, so she's trying to combine our names and say we're in a relationship."
"Ah...ship as in relationship...I thought she was trying to build an actual ship, but maybe I wasn't thinking too much into it..." Nanami said. "But, how does she combine our names...?"
"It's simple!" Mioda stated. "Ibuki will give you an example! KuzuPeko!"
"Don't!" Kuzuryuu yelled as he walked over to where Mioda was. "We're not in that sort of relationship...!"
"But, Ibuki thought that since you call her by her first name sometimes, you had a bit of KuzuPeko action going on...!" Mioda announced.
"Shut the fu-!"
"Kuzuryuu, we best not question it..." Pekoyama advised, walking over with a slight blush on her face. "It's simply her wild imagination..."
Kuzuryuu growled at the musician, glaring so hard that it could burn holes through her. "We'll settle this later..." He said as he and Pekoyama walked away.
Once they were a safe distance away, Mioda smirked. "They totally have a thing...!"
"Maybe so, but Nagito and I are just friends. I haven't ever looked for being in a relationship with anyone as of yet..." Nanami stated.
Mioda pouted. "Aw...that's no fun..." She whined. "Oh well, Ibuki shall think of something by herself!" And with that she walked away.
"Eh...sorry about that, Nanami-san..." Komaeda said.
Nanami smiled. "It's fine. It's not like you were the one saying all of that..."
Then the teacher walked into the classroom, saying things like 'sit down' and such. Everyone did as they were told and sat in their chairs.
"Well, I have some news class..." He announced. "We have another student entering this class. They haven't been able to attend due to certain circumstances, but now they are finally joining us."
"Oh! Oh! Sensei!" Mioda called out, waving her hand in the air.
"Ah...yes, Mioda...?" The teacher asked.
Mioda smiled. "Is it a boy or girl?"
"Um...well, you'll know when they come into class..." The teacher replied.
"Oh! Oh! Sensei!" Mioda called again. "Are they a magical garment girl?"
"I don't think so...but keep using that imagination, Mioda..." The teacher replied as he looked at the door. "Anyway, please come in.
Everyone waited in expectation as someone walked in. Nanami's mouth opened slightly as she saw him. She turned to face Souda who looked like he was having a heart attack. She sighed.
This wasn't going to end well...
...But...
...How come Hajime is here...?
Author's Notes:
BOOM! DONE! I have had this half done for ages, but I never gotten around to it due to certain distractions. But, it's done nevertheless!
It's a bit shorter than I had hoped, but whatever. I had originally just planned a date between Nanami and Hajime, but it only had like 2000 words and I thought that you guys have been waiting too long for just that.
I was almost in tears writing this, because I hardly write characters crying seriously because I mainly write humour. So, this was a new experience for me.
Anyway...I would love if I got some reviews! I NEED them! Please! Even if they are like three words long. I find everyone who reviews is awesome. I spend a lot of time on these chapters and I really appreciate some feedback...REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW! Please...?
Thanks to 6747 (Guest) for reviewing! Maybe this chapter we can have even more reviews so then I have a faster and more efficient working pace.