"Kaidoh-senpai , you look great in that outfit !" Takanishi-san said while staring at kaidoh-senpai who was dressed in one of our waiter outfits . Apparently , he got dragged into work along with us because of the number of staff we have on duty . But still .. it is weird seeing kaidoh-senpai in a waiter's outfit . It kinda look .. well .. creepy .
"Sorry about dragging you in ..." I told him . Its not like I wanted to but we have no choice . Takanishi-san and I probably won't be enough to handle the entire restaurant . Plus that manager won't be of help either .
"Its nothing .. I do owe you a lot ..This is the least I could do .."
"Hmm but is three person enough ? It is Friday night and its going to be a busy shift tonight ." Takanishi-san asked and folded her hands . Well , she's right . Friday night is a busy night . Families will be going out to eat and thus , its going to be a busy one . Even with five people on the floor , its still considered a hectic one , how the hell are we going to cope with only three people ?!
"Its going to be four people .." Kaidoh-senpai placed his hands on my shoulder . I looked at him with a confused look . Four ? There's only three of us .
"What do you mean kaidoh-senpai ?" Takanishi-san asked before I could say anything else . Then we heard someone banging on the back door . Okay who the hell is it ?Don't tell me its manager ? Man , why does he always forget his keys ?! He's banging so loudly the door is going to break ! I walked towards the door and opened it .
"God manager stop banging the-" Before I could complete my sentence , the door swung open and a man charged in shouting . I fell backwards and landed on a pile of card boards .
"KAIDOH !" He ran towards kaidoh-senpai . Wait , that voice , I know that voice . It can't be .
"KAIDOH ! What do you mean that echizen is about to lose his job and he's going to commit suicide !?"
What ?
"No he can't think like that ! He's still so young and he has a bright future ahead of him ! We have to stop him !"
"O-oishi-senpai …?" I stood up and called out to him . He turned around and there he is , the ex vice-captain of the tennis team , also known as the mother hen of the tennis team . Why is he here ? What does he want ?!
"Echizen !" He said in surprise and made his way towards me . I took a step back and then , I tripped and fell back on the card boards again . Ah hell , why is this happening to me ?!
"Echizen-san !?" Takanishi-san shouted and came over to help me .
"Echizen !" Oishi-senpai came over as well , but as he was about to grab on to my arm , I slapped his hands away .
"Don't touch me !" I shouted and glared at him . I don't want someone that believed that liar to touch me ! Stay away from me !
"Echizen , wait , don't be so hostile towards him first .. I know you're still hurt from the things that happened but believe it or not , Oishi-senpai never believed them ." Kaidoh-senpai said . I stood from where I was and stayed quiet . If that's the case then why didn't he look for me ?!
"He even broke his friendship with kikumaru senpai because he believed you. Echizen ... are you listening ?"
"Then … why didn't he look for me .. even after two years .. why didn't he come and talk to me about it ..Why now of all times ?! Why not two years ago !?" Why ?! My voice started to get louder and I clenched my fist hard . Argh , i'm losing myself again . Shit .. I can't control my emotions .. the unpleasant memories are flowing through my mind . At this rate … Then , as I was caught up in my own thoughts , takanishi-san came over and held my hands in both of hers. I looked up at her and she gave me a gentle and calming smile . After seeing her smile , I sort of relaxed a little .
"Echizen .. I did look for you two years ago .." Oishi-senpai said . Then , I looked up to oishi-senpai's face.
"I did look for you .. but it was so hard to find you ! You quit-ted the tennis club and you were no where to be found during lunch break . Not to mention you also moved . I couldn't locate you at all even if I wanted to . It was also hard since I was in the high school section and you were in junior high . I really did try .. I really did and I never believed what momo and the others or what they say about you ."
Oishi-senpai explained . I looked at him and stayed quiet . If kaidoh-senpai called him here , then , probably , it might be true . Plus Oishi-senpai is not the type to lie . No , he can't even tell a lie . It'd be obvious if he lied . Oishi-senpai then started to walk towards me .
"Echizen- Woah ?!" Oishi-senpai stepped on to a towel that was lying on the ground and he slipped and fell backwards . He tried to balance himself but instead , he ended up crashing into the janitor's closet that was behind him . God , he never change , still as clumsy as ever . I smiled to myself and walked over to him .
"You're as clumsy as ever .." I stretched my hands out to him . Oishi-senpai looked at me and he smiled . He took my hands and I helped him up .
"Echizen..."
The both of us looked at each other and we smiled .
"I'm glad everything's okay now ! Even though I didn't really understand what was going on." takanishi-san said while smiling . Right .. I forgot she doesn't know what is going on . But she was here all the while .
"You don't have to know weirdo .." I'm not going to drag her into this mess too .
"Okay .. Anyways , you are ?" takanishi-san looked at Oishi-senpai with a blur look on her face .
"Ah , i'm Shuichiro Oishi , Nice to meet you !" Oishi-senpai held out his hands . Takanishi-san took it and shook his hands .
"Takanishi Chiyo , Nice to meet you too ! I'm guessing you must be a friend of echizen-san ?"
"Ah , I guess you can put it that way ."
"Anyways … what are you doing here oishi-senpai ? If you're here to dine , then , the front door is right there ..." I told him .
All of a sudden , Oishi-senpai came over and grabbed both of my shoulders .
"Echizen ! You mustn't commit suicide ! You mustn't !"
Huh ?! What is he talking about ?!
"Even if you're about to lose your job , doesn't mean its the end of the world ! You can always find a new one ! You mustn't commit suicide ! You mustn't !" Oishi-senpai literally shouted at the top of his voice . Who's committing suicide ?! What kind of ridiculous nonsense is he talking about ?!
"What the hell are you talking about ? I'm not losing my job and all the more , i'm not committing suicide !" I explained . God , he hasn't changed a bit ! Still jumping to conclusion , no , ridiculous conclusion as usual !
"Huh ? But kaidoh..."
Then , I saw kaidoh-senpai face palming himself .
"I never said that he's losing his job or committing suicide... All I said was that echizen needed some help on his job or it'll be a suicide night for him , as in a tiring night ..." Kaidoh-senpai told him as he placed his hands on his forehead . Sigh , Oishi-senpai is still the same . Clearly , I thought he had already graduated from his 'Mother hen hood' when he graduated from junior high , but I guess he is still the same . Well , that's what makes Oishi-senpai , well , Oishi-senpai .
"So Kaidoh , you called me out , not because echizen is about to end his life , but because you needed my help ?"
"Does it look like i'm about to kill myself ?" I asked him .
The door swung open all of a sudden and there was Mr manager , standing there and folding his arms .
"Hey ! Dinner shift is about to start in ten minutes ! Come on lets get moving !" He shouted and clapped his hands . The four of us stared at him . Oh great ..here comes the 'boss' . God , is it time already ? Sigh , this is not going to be good . After saying that , he walked out of the room .
"So , what do you need me to do ?" Oishi-senpai asked .
"Could you help us with serving the customers ?" kaidoh-senpai asked him .
"Sure , erm , do I need to change to the waiter's outfit ?"
"Ah , I'll go find an extra set , wait here !" Takanishi-san said and she ran out of the room .
Well , with Oishi-senpai , it shouldn't be a problem with the number of waiters . Four is better than three . Thank god that's over . Now all we have to do is to get ready for the restaurant to start it's dinner shift . We waited in the dressing room for takanishi-san to return . After about a minute or so , takanishi-san returned with a big bag .
"What's that weirdo ? And where's the outfit ?"
"Erm , about that ...we sort of ran out of extra male outfits .."
Oh come on . This is so not happening . So now what ? Don't tell me she's going to ask Oishi-senpai to cross dress as a girl . That would be … crazy .. and weird .. more like creepy . I can't imagine him dressing up as a girl .
"Well , I asked manager and he gave me this .. maybe Oishi-senpai can wear this or maybe , one of you can lend your outfit to Oishi-senpai and wear this instead . But this outfit may be a little ..." She said while looking down into the bag . God , what kind of outfit now ? I grabbed the bag and look inside . You have got to be kidding me .I am so not going to wear this . How many ridiculous outfits does that manager actually have ?!
"Don't look at me , i'm not going through with this again ! I have already worn two ridiculous outfits and i'm so not going through it again !"
"Okay .. what about you kaidoh-senpai ?" Takanishi-san asked him . He walked over and looked inside the bag . He stood there for quite sometime and stared into the bag . Then , he took a few steps backwards and stood beside me .
"Hell no am I wearing that !" He shouted . Me , takanishi-san and kaidoh-senpai looked at each other . Then , the three of us looked at Oishi-senpai . We smiled and handed him the bag and we walked out of the room .He took a look inside and his face went pale .
"Wait ! This is …?!"
"When you're done changing , you can come out ." I smirked at him and I closed the door before he could say anything . Sorry Oishi-senpai , I don't want to do this to you but , I am not going to wear that horrible suit .
3 minutes later …
The three of us were inside the dressing room again . We stood there and stared at Oishi-senpai who was dressed up in the outfit . His face was red with embarrassment . Takanishi-san and kaidoh-senpai just stood there and stared at Oishi-senpai . Seriously I want to laugh , not because it look ridiculous on him , but because it really suits him .
"What kind of joke is this ?!" Oishi-senpai shouted .
"What's wrong ? You look good in it ." takanishi-san smiled .
"Hmm , she's right ..." Kaidoh-senpai agreed . I hate to admit it , but surprisingly , the outfit does look good on Oishi-senpai . Maybe its due to the same nature they have . Oishi-senpai looked at us in his white and fat hen outfit . Well , i'm glad i'm not the one wearing that . I looked at the clock . Two minutes before opening .
"Come on lets go ..." I walked out towards the door .
"In this ?!"
The three of us smiled at him and walked out of the dressing room without saying anything . The restaurant opened and customers started flowing in . There was a lot of customers but with four people , we managed it quite well , especially Oishi-senpai . In that outfit , he was able to manage most of the families that have kids . Hmm , we could really use a chicken nowadays . Maybe he should consider working here for real . That way , I can finally escape from wearing outfits .Kaidoh-senpai on the other hand …
"Fshhh , here's your omelet rice ..."
"A-ah , T-thanks .."
The customers were terrified of him . God , perhaps it might have been better if he had worn the chicken suit instead .. Wait .. no that would be a bad idea . It would just make him look like a mad chicken on the lose . We might as well just scare all the people away . Sigh . After three hours have passed , it was finally 9pm . Yawns* . God , i'm tired . I stretched my hands up high in the air . I can't wait to get home and sleep .
"Echizen-san , you okay ?" Takanishi-san came over .
"Yeah...i'm just tired , that's all ..."
"Well , okay , come on , lets close up for today and we can go home !" She said with enthusiasm . She never gets tired does she ? Well , her blood is made up of sugar . Sigh . But I must admit ..if it weren't for her , I probably wouldn't have forgiven kaidoh-senpai and made up with Oishi-senpai . We closed up and locked the door .
"Thanks for today senpai ..." I thanked Kaidoh-senpai and Oishi-senpai . They smiled at me and gave me a nod .
"Don't worry about it , It's the least we could after all that's happened . In fact we're really glad that you allowed us to help . I'm really glad we made up echizen." Oishi-senpai said while smiling .
"See you at work tomorrow ..." I replied and walked away .
"Wait up echizen-san !" Takanishi-san called out to me and ran to me . She walked beside me while kaidoh-senpai and Oishi-senpai walked off in the opposite direction .
"Isn't it great ?" Takanishi-san suddenly spoke .
"What ?"
"You , making friends ."
"I'm not making friends idiot .. they're my friends from the past ..."
"yeah but , they're still your friends now right ?"
I looked at her .
"Yeah... I guess..." I replied softly . We walked towards the station and when we entered the station , there was an announcement . 'The train approaching platform A is coming in two minutes' . Takanishi-san grabbed my hands .
"Come on ! The train is coming ! We're going to miss it if we don't hurry !" She said and pulled me towards the stairs that lead to the platform .We ran up the stairs .
"Hey , what's the rush about ? If we miss it , we can always take another train !"
The train arrived at the platform and we charged in . The train door closed and we stood there , panting and trying to catch our breath .
"You .. are unbelievable … Pant* Pant* Pant*" I said . I haven't ran like that in ages .
"Hehe.. well at least that was fun... Pant* "
The both of us calmed down soon after and we stood at the side of the train doors .
"You have great friends echizen-san." Takanishi-san told me .
"Huh ?"
"I could tell that kaidoh-senpai and Oishi-senpai really care about you , you're so lucky ."
"What are you saying weirdo ? You have friends too , a whole bunch of them .."
"Yeah … but they don't really know the real me... To be honest .. I'm really nervous when i'm around them .. I can't really be myself .. I feel like I can't act like my usual self ." She said with a sad tone . Its not like her to be like this . So I guess being so popular isn't really a good thing either .
"So … do you feel like that when you're with me ..?"
"Hmm , for some reason , when i'm around you , I can be myself . I feel relaxed and calm . Its not the same . So that's why you're special .. That's why you're my special friend . Because I can be myself when i'm around you . Its weird isn't it ?" She gave me a humble smile .
I kept quiet and stared at her .
"What ? Say something ! Stop looking at me like that .. I know its weird .. you don't have to say it .."
"I don't think its weird ..."
"Huh ?"
"I said , I don't think its weird .. seems pretty normal if you ask me …"
"Really ? So ... is it okay if I join you and kaidoh-senpai for lunch on the roof ?"
I stared at her again . Join me for lunch ? Well , I suppose its fine .. Besides , its not like I hate her presence and company .
"If you want to ..."
"Really ?! Thank you echizen-san !" she smiled happily at me . "You know , I always feel happy whenever i'm with echizen-san ! Hehe ."
"Well , its not like I hate you being around me ..." I said softly .
"What did you say ?"
"Nothing ."
"You did say something ! Come on tell me !" She walked closer to me and pulled my sleeve . Sometimes , she acts like a kid . Seriously , she's like a five year old kid . Then , the train door from the other side opened and people started strolling in . The both of us were pushed towards the side . We were about to be separated when the crowd squeezed in .
"Hey careful !" I shouted at takanishi-san . I grabbed on to her arm when a man pushed me from behind .
"Woah !"
The both of us collided into each other .
Mean while ….
Kaidoh was walking home with Oishi .They walked beside each other and kept quiet all the way until Oishi decided to talk .
"Kaidoh ..Thanks for calling me that day . If you didn't call me , I probably would never have become friends with echizen again ."
"Its fine … I'm actually more concern about getting the others to realize the truth ..."
"They'll find out eventually , the truth will reveal itself .. You'll see .."
"Fshhh..."
"By the way , that girl , Takanishi Chiyo , she's seems to be in good relations with echizen . They looked like they are really close and echizen seemed comfortable around her . " Oishi said . Kaidoh stopped and looked at Oishi .
"Well , I guess to echizen , she's someone special . She really cares for echizen and she's not like the other girls ..."
"Yeah .. she seems like a really nice girl . Echizen is lucky .." Oishi smiled . They looked at each other and continued to head home .
Back in the train …
God we really took the wrong train home . We should have waited for the next train to come instead of rushing into this train . And , why the hell are there so many people in this train tonight ?! Isn't it usually empty ?! Its all this idiot's fault ! If it weren't for her , I wouldn't be squeezed like a tuna in a can and we won't be in this position !
"Echizen-san .. y-you're.. holding on too tight ..." Takanishi-san said in a soft tone . Her face was facing my chest . One of my arm was around her and the other was leaning against the train door , holding on so that I won't lose my balance .
"Does it look like I can move ?"
All of a sudden , the train jerked and stopped. 'We are currently facing some technical difficulties and the train will be stopping for a few minutes , we're sorry for any inconvenience.' You have got to be kidding me . Why at a time like this ?!
"Erm , echizen-san ?" She called out to me .
"What ?"
"Thanks for earlier … If it weren't for you , I probably would have been stuck in the middle of a bunch of people that I don't know ..and it'll be uncomfortable .."
"Not really ..." I didn't really know why I grabbed on to you . I just did !
"Are you uncomfortable ? You seem like you're in a really bad position and you're also using one of your hands to support the both of us ."
"I guess so ..."
"Is there anything that I can do to make it better ?" Takanishi-san asked me . Yeah , if you can balance yourself , it'll definitely be a lot better ! But i'm just asking her to do something that's not possible at a time like this , so it'll just be stupid ! I looked down on to her .
"Perhaps , it might be better if you leaned against the side of the door .. That way , we can both support ourselves..."
"Hmm you're right , so .. we just have to move and change positions .."
The both of us moved sideways . It was kind of hard to move in a crowd . Soon , Takanishi-san was leaning against the side of the train door and I was standing in front of her . But just right after we got into the position , the train started moving all of a sudden and jerked and I was pushed towards her by the crowds. This time , the both of us were closer than before . Both of my hands were pinned down towards the side that she was leaning on with her in the middle and our bodies were touching each other . Her head was leaning against my chest and I could smell the scent of her hair .
"This is .. not what I was expecting ..." I said while trying to hold my ground . The people were squeezing me from behind and I was trying my best not to move .
"T-this is a little awkward ...Erm .. you okay ?" Takanishi-san asked me .
"That's my line weirdo .."
"Hehe , its amazing you can still keep your cool even in this awkward position ." She laughed . How can she laugh at a time like this ? Doesn't she feel embarrassed ? She's really not like any other girl .
"You're even more amazing . You still have the cheek to laugh even though we're like this .."
"Well , its not like you wanted to be in this position .. besides , I don't really hate it ..and you're different from the other guys that I know ...so ..i don't really mind it hehe ."
"Hmm...I know you're tired of hearing this but i'm going to say it either way . You're really weird .."
'We'll be arriving in the next station in 2 minutes.'
"We'll be reaching soon , so you just have to bear with the weirdo for a while more !"
After two minutes , the train stopped and the doors opened . The crowd started to move out of the train and we got out soon after . We left the station and parted ways .
"Hey weirdo ..." I called out to her before she left . She turned around to look at me .
"Yeah ?"
"...I'll see you at work tomorrow ..."
She smiled at me and walked towards the opposite direction of my house . She turned around after about a few steps and waved at me . Then she turned around and headed home . I walked away from the station towards my apartment that was only a few shops away . As I was walking home , I kept thinking about how different that girl is . I smiled to myself . Heh , she is weird after all . But ... i'm glad she's here …
Yay ! I am finished with this chapter ! I am so tired ! And wow , this is probably the longest chapter I have ever written ! I really like writing ! I still have so much ideas that I can't wait to write . Okay enough of my crap . So here it is ! Chapter 12 ! Hope you liked it ! I added a cute scene of ryoma and chiyo in this chapter :D Anyways , Thanks for all the reviews and support guys ! I really love you all ! Next chapter will be out soon ! I'll try to update ASAP ! Peace ;D
Disclaimer : I do not own POT :D