A day or so will go by as the alarm clock begins to ring. Tucker woke up to press the alarm off. He looked around to see that it was the last day or so before the vacation that the students were talking about. He didn't have a plan and hoped he would hitch with someone else and ride along with them.
"Tuesday." Tucker told himself. He stretched from his slumber before he walked off to get himself ready. He wanted to figure out if he could get invited out to somewhere with the others. "Last day, last chance." He told himself again. Tucker slipped on the uniform before he walked off. He knew he needed to get a letter back from his dad. He just didn't know how long it was going to take.
Tucker made his way to his first period class as this was something he clearly wasn't looking forward to. Art seemed to bring a different meaning to him, and he was growing less and less fond of it. Eleanor loved it but Tucker was finding it was beginning to rub him the wrong way. Hopefully Rin will brighten his mood up. Tucker sat down at his desk before he looked ahead to see Rin sitting next to him.
"You still don't have a plan huh?" Rin asked Tucker. Tucker looked at Rin as if she was curious about what he was going to do. "I don't have a plan either." Rin sighed. Tucker looked at Rin as if he felt bad about her and himself. He looked at Rin as if he wanted to make sure he could promise her something, so they didn't get bored.
"I'll think of something." Tucker explained to Rin. The students came in as Shinichi was there to greet his morning class.
"Good morning class, we have only one day left before the break so I'm going to let you finish up your art that you've started a few days ago but make sure it's done." Shinichi explained to his students to finish up their pieces of artwork they began on. Tucker decided to head over to Rin as if he had nothing better to do.
"Hey Tucky, I definitely seem to be enjoying the experiences we have every Sunday. I don't want to stop making pictures of it, they all seem… different. One after the next." Rin explained to Tucker. She seemed to be happy with the experience she was having. Tucker nodded as at least Rin was making him happy.
Katawa Shoujo- Parity
"I'm glad you're still enjoying yourself. I think Natsume wasn't expecting it when you ran into her." Tucker began. "She and I were talking about it, and we heard the whistle twice. We seem to still laugh it off between the three of us." Tucker explained to Rin that he was more than happy to be spending time with his friends.
"I'd definitely want to see how many paintings you've made about these Trainz?" Tucker asked Rin curiously that he definitely wanted to see how many paintings she had made.
"Definitely… about seven to eight. I have lost track." Rin told Tucker that she gave a rough estimate with how many she had painted. Tucker nodded before he decided to switch the topic up.
"Hey Rin? Did you see Eleanor as of recently?" Tucker asked curiously. He wanted to know if his girlfriend saw his little sister.
"No, why?" Rin replied. Tucker knew he needed to say the truth about Eleanor to Rin. He was still worried about her, and he wanted to see if Rin could set things right.
"Me and Hanako came up here that Sunday when we learned she has been spending more and more time here. I tried to talk to her, but she seemed a little removed from her usual self. When Hanako dug through her bags, we found out that a lot of her homework was incomplete or never done at all." Tucker explained the situation about what was going on with Eleanor that her classes weren't accepting her failing grades and why she wasn't putting in the effort, neither of them knew about.
"That is a grave mistake one student could make." Rin began. "I get less homework as I don't have arms to properly do it. It's how the school adapts to your needs and whether your disability is severe or not. The worse your disability, the less work they give you. Seeing how you still have your arms; you work just as hard as everyone else that has arms."
"How do I try approaching Eleanor about this and getting her back on the right track?" Tucker asked Rin. "I sent a letter to my father and I'm waiting for him to write back to me."
"It's best you leave Ms. Kagami alone. Mr. Kagami." Shinichi explained as he intervened in the conversation. Tucker and Rin looked at Shinichi as he entered their conversation.
"Why though? She's, my sister." Tucker asked why he should leave Eleanor alone.
"Eleanor has been very busy and she's asked me for more time on a couple of occasions. I've talked to the staff, and we decided to suspend her classes altogether for the rest of the trimester to get her prepared for the gallery event." Shinichi explained that Eleanor will no longer be attending her classes. Tucker was shocked. Why would his art teacher suspend his little sister's education for the sake of an art event? Tucker knew something was fishy regarding Shinichi's decision to suspend her classes. He wanted to argue with him, but they were interrupted by the bell which had diffused the situation before it turned violent. Tucker huffed before he went over to gather his things while he helped Rin get her belongings too. They both left the room. Tucker was fuming.
Katawa Shoujo- High Tension
"I think there's something off with Mr. Nomiya." Tucker began as he was trying his best to cool off.
"What makes you say that? He's usually pretty chill but I kind of get what you're saying about Eleanor and such." Rin began. Tucker looked on curiously as if Rin knew exactly what they were talking about.
"You do?" Tucker asked curiously. Rin knew she had to explain this to the best of her ability.
"I do. Eleanor took the opportunity with no hesitation whatsoever. There was a reason why I bowed out of the gallery event. I thought of it as a really bad idea, I guess what I said is starting to become true. I never really took up painting as a serious form, but I thought of it as having fun like playing our games. Mr. Nomiya is desperate for a good artist and looks like he's found one." Rin explained to Tucker that Eleanor was leaping in headfirst without thinking of the consequences. Tucker knew he needed to know more.
"I guess what you might say is that you seem uncertain about the future of where this is all going to head into?" Tucker asked Rin if this was going to be correct.
"I think Mr. Nomiya has set Eleanor up for a trap. There is a reason why the art atelier has to be off limits." Rin told Tucker about what she was thinking about. "You have to talk to Eleanor later when you get the chance, if her decision is final then you should wait for your dad to resolve it. I've yet to meet your parents." Rin began as if she was ready to change the subject on the fly. Tucker looked at her.
"You do? I don't know when they'll be free, but I can try flagging them down on a day they're free when they come to pick us up for summer vacation and I'll introduce you to them then." Tucker explained to Rin that he definitely wanted to introduce them to her.
"I bet they'll take me on board. Our families live pretty close to each other, I found out." Rin explained to Tucker.
"Well, that's great, I bet our families will be good friends then?" Tucker asked as if he was smiling to himself. He seemed to be excited by the prospect of meeting Rin's family.
"Most definitely." Rin sighed. "Well, I can't make you late for your next class, I'll see you around. If you find anything exciting, we should do for the break let me know." Rin explained to Tucker before she walked away.
"See you later Rin." Tucker told Rin as they parted ways. Tucker sighed as Rin made him happy in a time of uncertainty. He decided to walk off to his next class to see what was going to happen between him and Misha.
Tucker made his way to his second period class before sitting down in his usual spot. He looked over to see two familiar faces sit next to him. They were just as happy and excited as he was.
Katawa Shoujo- The Student Council
"Good morning Tucchan." Misha greeted Tucker. Tucker turned his head to see both of them smiling with excitement.
"Oh, good morning, Misha. Is there anything you wish to speak to me about?" Tucker asked as if he was curious about what was happening. Misha began to think about what she was going to say before she began speaking.
"What do you plan to do for your three-day break? Me, Shicchan and Hideaki are going fishing for those days, and we got permission from Jigoro as he will be very busy at work, and he wouldn't have the time for Hideaki." Misha asked Tucker before explaining what she and Shizune had planned. Tucker began to think about it as if he hadn't planned out what he was going to be doing.
"I don't know actually. I've only started to think about it, but nothing is in my mind as of yet." Tucker explained that he didn't know what he wanted to do for the break. Misha laughed before she continued to speak.
"Oh, and one other thing. Yuuchan wishes to see you today as there is something she wants to talk to you about." Misha also reminded Tucker about what someone wanted to talk to him about.
"Yuuchan? Who is that?" Tucker asked as if he wasn't familiar with the name. Misha laughed again.
"Yuuko Shirakawa, the librarian. She told me she wants to see you." Misha explained to Tucker what she meant by the nickname. Tucker nodded as he got it now.
"Is it about the book I need to return which I have?" Tucker asked if that was the reason why he needed to see her. Shizune made a few quick hand gestures before Misha spoke again.
"It's something completely different. I won't say what it is, but you need to see her later." Misha told Tucker about it. Tucker nodded as if he understood.
"Okay if you say so." Tucker told Misha. The teacher walked in as if she was running late and could get on with the class.
Third period ended as Tucker was making his way through the hallway. He knew he needed to confront Eleanor about what he learned from Rin. Perhaps he could change her mind and get her out of the trap that Shinichi had set up for her. He spotted Eleanor chatting with a couple of her classmates. He waited for the conversation to end before walking up to her.
"Eleanor, can I speak to you?" Tucker asked his sister if she had a moment. Eleanor looked at him as she was rather unamused.
"Is it about the gallery event again?" Eleanor asked Tucker.
"Kind of, I was talking to Rin about this, and Mr. Nomiya is leading you into a trap. Can you ask him that you can step out and consider what you want to do for your three-day break, you shouldn't use it all for your art." Tucker tried to get Eleanor to reconsider her decision and try to think of something different. Eleanor stood there for a moment before she looked at Tucker, her expression went from unamused to annoyed.
"You just have to keep butting into my conversation, do you?" Eleanor began. "You're just like my mother; you keep telling me what I can't do to focus on my grades. I know what I want to do, and my decision is final. I think you can take the family advice and shove it. I got that text from mom last night to tell me to back out from the gallery. Mr. Nomiya has done the right thing by giving me more time to work on my passion. I am heading to work in that art gallery." Eleanor's words were hot, they were burning as her passion and what she loved to do was getting in her way of her education. She was boiling over in anger as she was annoyed at everyone in her family.
Katawa Shoujo- Cold Iron
"But… but… Eleanor." Tucker began. "Can't you see what you're doing is leading to a destruction of yourself. Please reconsider your options before you make a decision." Tucker pleaded with Eleanor that he wanted her to try to be like her old self again, the one he protected from the car accident. "You can't just leave me like this."
"I'm sorry but my decision is final. I'm going to extend my last ounce of good will and pretend this conversation never happened!" Eleanor told Tucker that she was going to use her break just for art. Tucker felt defeated as Eleanor walked away from him as if she was angry with him, trying to speak to her about what he learned from Rin and Hanako. Tucker slumped down into a corner as he began to think. Was Eleanor pushing everyone away from her or was he being too harsh on his sister? He began to think about it before he was greeted with a voice that he recognized many times over.
"Is there something wrong with you Tucchan?" Misha asked. Tucker looked up to see Misha and Shizune having arrived to find Tucker in a mess.
"The conversation we had wasn't very pleasant. I tried to talk to Eleanor about it and she just threw me out. I tried my best to explain to her that the gallery event is a trap and she just told me that she wished the conversation never happened. I don't know what I want to do." Tucker began as if he retraced his steps to see where the conversation landed them. Shizune made a few hand gestures as Misha's mood had saddened considerably.
"Shicchan and I tried to talk to her before about her grades and she told us to leave as if she didn't want to chat with us. We did a bit of grade checking Tucchan and we saw that some of the students are failing in all of their classes." Misha explained to Tucker that some of the students weren't putting in the effort that was required for them.
"Am I failing my classes?" Tucker asked with concern. Shizune made some hand gestures before Misha began to translate what she had said.
"Shicchan says you're doing great with your classes Tucchan. You've got mid-eighties in all of them except for English. It's Eleanor we're worried about as she hasn't handed in any of her homework assignments from her teachers." Misha explained that Tucker was doing all right, it was Eleanor they were worried about.
"At least me and my parents aren't the only ones looking out for her." Tucker told Misha that he was grateful for the help.
"Much appreciated." Misha told Tucker with a smile of hers. She then decided to ask him something. "So, want to head off to class?" Misha asked. Tucker nodded without saying a word, the three of them headed off to class together as Tucker was definitely going to have some level of enjoyment. He wasn't exactly sure how long Eleanor's behavior was going to last. It was driving them apart.
The lunch bell rang as Tucker decided to make his way to the library as he wanted to talk to Yuuko about what she wanted from him. While walking down the hallway, he spotted Natsume, Naomi and Molly standing around, and they decided to flag Tucker down.
"Hey there Tucker. How is everything we might ask?" Natsume began the conversation. Tucker seemed to be a little confused, but they were just asking how he felt.
"I'm doing okay I will say." Tucker responded. He began to think about Hanako as if he wanted to ask them something. "Has Hanako been accepted into the Newspaper Club?" Tucker asked. Naomi was puzzled and Molly seemed to be confused by this. Natsume straightened out her glasses before she began to speak.
"Yes. Hanako had been accepted, her first meeting with us was yesterday. Also, the next meet up this upcoming Sunday is being canceled due to the break. We don't want many students to be inside Yamaku when they should be enjoying themselves." Natsume explained that they were going to cancel one of their meetings due to the break. Tucker nodded.
"Tell Hanako congratulations, I wish to speak to her when I get the chance." Tucker told Natsume that he was excited to see Hanako get accepted. Natsume nodded.
"I will. Oh, we have to get going, we need to get more paper from Shizune. It was nice chatting with you." Natsume explained to Tucker that they needed to leave. Tucker waved before he watched them walk off. Tucker huffed before making his way to the library.
Tucker entered the library as he placed the book down that he borrowed from a couple weeks before. He was returning it for someone. Yuuko opened the door to her office before heading out to see who it was that had just arrived.
Katawa Shoujo- Everyday Fantasy
"Hello Ms. Shirakawa." Tucker greeted Yuuko. Yuuko looked to see who it was that had just arrived.
"Hello Tucker. I see how everything is going well." Yuuko greeted Tucker as she took the book he was returning. She opened the page up where the dates were. She then scanned it, and she was pleased. "Right on time."
"Thanks." Tucker told Yuuko. He began to think over what Misha had told him about coming here specifically. "I had a conversation with Misha earlier today and she told me that you wished to see me. Was there a reason why?" Tucker asked Yuuko if there was something she wished to see him about.
"I actually wanted to give you this." Yuuko told Tucker. She handed him a magazine. Tucker took the magazine and began to read it over; it had the stuff that he and Rin were interested in. "It's just like the book but they're all metal models for hobbyists. I looked up places like this thinking that you and Rin would be interested in it." Yuuko explained, Tucker seemed to be excited as this was something he and Rin could possibly spend the day in.
"Thanks, but where is it and how do we get there?" Tucker asked Yuuko if there was any way they could get there and enjoy themselves in the shop. Yuuko began to think about it.
"The Hobby shop is located in Hokkaido. I haven't been there myself, but I know someone that has." Yuuko told Tucker which city the shop was located in. Tucker never knew the city and he wanted to make sure he was able to get there and back to Yamaku.
"That someone is Lilly?" Tucker asked. Yuuko's face lit up as she seemed to be happy about all of this.
"Yep. I can tell Rin to find her later. I can ask Lilly to arrange a meeting at the mural and you three can plan it out." Yuuko suggested as she said two things about two of her students. She definitely knew what she wanted to do.
"Will do. I have to get going now. See you around." Tucker told Yuuko before placing the magazine into his bag. He walked off as he had left the book that Rin left a note for him behind. It was another step forward.
A couple hours would pass as Tucker got a text message from Yuuko about the meeting place and time he was expected to be there. Tucker nodded as he headed to the mural when class had concluded. He got there as Lilly and Rin were already there. Lilly was sitting on the mural while Rin was standing beside it. Tucker approached the mural with Lilly beginning to speak.
"Hey Tucker, how are you doing?" Lilly asked Tucker.
Katawa Shoujo- Concord
"Uneasy, I don't know what I want to do, and Eleanor just told me off when I tried to speak to her about the break, she just wants to devote all her time to art. I don't know why but she doesn't want to spend time with the rest of us. Plus, I had nothing else to do but I just had a run in with Yuuko in the library when I was returning a book back to her. And I got this." Tucker began the conversation with Eleanor's rash comment that she didn't want to speak to her brother about the break or even art. He then got his hand into his bag and pulled out the magazine Yuuko had given him. Rin took the magazine and began to read it over, there were so many pictures that Rin couldn't seem to contain herself.
"So many trains." Rin began with excitement; she was like a dog salivating at the sight of a tasty bone with meat on it. Lilly laughed at Rin's excitement that she could barely contain it.
"I see you're very excited over something like this." Lilly began. She then turned to Tucker as she wanted to ask him something. "Where is this place located?" Lilly asked Tucker if he had any ideas of where they were going to go find this hobby shop. Tucker began to think about it before speaking.
"It's in Hokkaido, that's where me, Hisao and Hanako are going for our break. Me and Akira have a summer house up there, but I don't know if you two want to come along is up to you. I suggest that you two will come with us, so you don't get bored." Lilly suggested that Tucker and Rin join them for the three days. Rin nodded as she seemed content with the idea.
"If it could keep us from getting bored, count me in." Rin began. Tucker nodded but he was confused.
"How do we get to Hokkaido?" Tucker asked as he wanted to see how they were going to get to the place of designation. Lilly placed her hand to her mouth, and she began to speak again.
"We'll take the train to get there." Lilly told Tucker. Rin's eyes grew wide with excitement, she definitely liked the idea of where this was going.
"A train?! What time?" Rin asked as she wanted to see what time they needed to be there if they were going to need to be there. Lilly pleasantly smiled while Rin's smile was as wide as a lake.
"Five thirty in the morning. The schedule is working against us as there are only four trains a day, two heading to Hokkaido and two heading back to Yamaku. Tickets are cheap for this train as there are still plenty of seats available." Lilly explained. Tucker knew what he needed to do, if he was going to see what they were going to do and with the experience from Eleanor, he knew he had to give into their demands.
"Count me in then, I got nothing else better to do." Tucker told Lilly and Rin. Their eyes lit up as they were pretty excited to see Tucker join them. "What is everyone else doing then?" Tucker asked if they knew anyone else on what they were going to do while the break was going on.
"All I know is that Emi is going to be running 10k for the next four days for a charity event and everyone else… I'm not too sure about." Rin explained to Tucker.
"Also do I need any antibiotics before we take this trip?" Tucker asked Rin if he needed the needle from the School Nurse. Rin looked at him as she seemed nonchalant about it.
"You just had a needle yesterday as the School Nurse has reduced your dosages from twice a week to once a week. He wants to see if he can reduce the numbness you've been feeling." Rin explained to Tucker that he didn't need any more medication for now, so he was safe.
"Okay so I'm good?" Tucker asked as he was curious about it.
"You're good. Just get some rest as we're getting up pretty early tomorrow to catch the train." Rin explained to Tucker. Tucker nodded before he walked off.
"I will Rin, thank you." Tucker told Rin before walking away. Lilly and Rin watched Tucker exit the scene as they knew they all had a plan for fun in mind.
Tucker had arrived back at his dorm; he had just washed himself off early as he was preparing for the vacation event. He had just been done when he was walking back to his dorm. He was stopped by someone with a wheelchair. It was William.
Katawa Shoujo- Air Guitar
"Hello, there Tucker, I've noticed you've showered already and are heading to bed. Is there a reason for this?" William asked.
"I'm heading to bed early as I agreed with Lilly and Rin to catch the train to Hokkaido tomorrow morning." Tucker explained to William what he planned on doing. William smiled as if he was excited to tell Tucker something.
"I'm heading off to the hospital tomorrow to undergo some trials. If they succeed, I won't be in this wheelchair anymore starting next week." William told Tucker that he was going to undergo some kind of test.
"You will be walking again?" Tucker asked curiously. William began to think about what Tucker had asked before he began to answer his question.
"Sort of. I will still be on crutches, but I will be moving around and using my legs more often." William explained. Tucker smiled to see his friend making some progress.
"That's great, I can't wait to see you next week to see how you're holding up, I'm heading off to bed for now. It was nice chatting with you." Tucker told William as William shook on it.
"Okay, I will see you." William told Tucker. Tucker nodded before he and William went off to head their dorms.
Tucker had packed his belongings as he was going to at least need three days' worth of clean clothing. He also made sure to pack the magazine with him as well as the calico plush he won at the festival. Afterward, he decided to head to sleep at once. He knew these next few days were going to be exciting.
[A/N]: I completed this chapter in mere hours after the last one as I definitely had an idea of where I wanted this to go. There is some more build up to the vacation and the next chapter will be the beginning of the said vacation. I want to hear your opinions as the relationship with Tucker and Eleanor is starting to go south as well as Tucker growing suspicious of Shinichi. Let me know what you're thinking of this story as a whole. We still have a lot more of act three to get through. See you later.