Responses to Reviews:
Firstly, to Cruiser!BarelyKnowHer: Thanks for the review. Yes, when I wrote the prologue, I knew the type of tone I was going for, the message it had, and how just heavy it was going to be. But all the same, I'm glad that you enjoyed it, and found it to have seriousness behind it, something I took intense care to bring.
To Willywonka3234: Thanks for the review. Well, here's your update, haha. Seriously though, it was when you reviewed that I first began to work on this chapter. The reason it took so long, in truth, was because I was having a struggle finding a good tone and style that I wanted to follow the prologue with, and I ended up going through a few drafts, at least three, before coming up with this. Where the style, and many plot elements were changed and reworked. Still, here it is, expect the next chapter to come sooner, and probably be longer too.
To Richard Sception: Hey! Thanks for the review. I'm glad you found the story interesting, I hope I can keep it up as the chapters go on. I look forward to seeing the new story you have planned. Also, regarding what you said about your 'headcanon', of course, I won't confirm or deny anything on the matter, but still, your speculation is completely welcome!
Now, let's get onto the story.
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Chapter One: Of Friendship's Beginning
Disclaimer: People who are suffering from mental illness are not inherently more violent, nor are they precondoned to any sort of behavior. Like all people, they are products of the ways people treat them, and are deserving of the love and kindness any other person should get. They need help and support, not condonement or shunning.
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Jizo Nishizumi had no friends.
When she was younger, in middle school and before, the people around her would ask, "Do you have any friends?" And everytime, Jizo would reply with the same 'no', over and over again. They would say to her, "You have to make friends," and she would say 'why.' It was when she asked 'why', did she get so many different, and confusing responses. You need friends for comfort, one would say. You need friends for excitement, another would claim. Friends are your allies in life, friends are the ones who keep you in check, friends are the ones who help you, friends are the ones who challenge you. Different, contradicting, uncertain answers. Jizo knew she needed a friend, but she just didn't know why. That didn't matter now, of course, for Jizo had no friends.
Not from a lack of trying. She would again and again try talking to other girls her age, but they would all just eventually fade her out, and leave her behind. When she was in elementary school, the parents of her friends wouldn't let their kids play with her, and when she was in middle school the girls themselves wouldn't want to play with her. She didn't know what to do. She asked the people around her, but they all said things like, 'making a friend comes naturally to a person.' Or, 'It's in our human nature, to be with people.' Jizo didn't understand it at all. She asked the adults if she could be friends with them. Some said 'yes', others said 'no', but it was when she asked one person who said, 'you need friends at your age. A child being friends with an adult is no good, in fact, it's impossible.' Did she realize that even that wasn't going to get her anywhere. Besides, no matter how many adults came by the orphanage she spent nearly a decade in, none of them would ever look her way. No, it was impossible for her to make friends with an adult.
Not anyone her age, nor anyone older, it was conclusive, Jizo Nishizumi couldn't make friends But that was all going to change, she was told, when she would enter high school. High school was a place to comfort, and excitement, and allies and enemies, and of assistance and challenge, it was a place, she was told, where friends were made that would last a lifetime. So, with that in mind, Jizo made it her first goal before anything else, to do just that..
It was on the first day of school, where she went up to a random girl, another first year, and asked, "Do you want to be friends?" The girl looked at her for a moment, and promptly said, "This is Kuromorimine, I came here to get a future, not to make friends." And that was that on her first attempt. She couldn't just go up and ask people to be friends, it seems, she would have to try other methods.
The first week of classes went by, and Jizo was sitting at her desk as the teacher lectured.
"-and so, as you can see as illustrated in the diagram, the amygdala sends signals throughout the frontal and prefrontal cortex. Allowing for the regulations of bodily functions such as sweat and endorphins releases, as well as the regulation of stress, and the fight or flight response. Each part of it performs a different operation, such as the basolateral nucleus which regulates fear responses, the extended amygdala which is involved in stress and anxiety, and the central amygdala, which deals with emotions, and the conscious perception of those emotions. Shown here is the interactions between the Amygdala and the frontal lobe-"
As she wrote down what was being lectured, Jizo thought about what she could do to make a friend, and decided to employ a strategy she had seen before. After class was finished, and all the students were being dismissed, she went up to a girl and asked, "Do you want to have lunch together?" A perfect statement, a request of interaction, she remembered reading about it in a book when she was younger. Requesting a social interaction like, 'Do you want to have lunch together? Or, 'Do you want to get some coffee later?' Or even, 'Are you going to see that new movie coming out?' Followed by, "Do you want to see it together?' Are easy, natural ways to start a conversation, and make a friend. So, Jizo tried just that.
"Sorry," The girl she asked said, "But… No, I'm busy." And that was that.
Within a blink of an eye, a month passed of her first semester at Kuromorimine, and still, Jizo had no friends. She was sitting in the cafeteria building, alone, at a table which was pushed against a window. The heavy rain that fell pounded against the glass, and the room was mostly empty with noise, as Jizo picked at her food aimlessly. It was lunch-break, but many students chose not to come because of the weather. However, sitting on another table just in front of her, were three girls, all also in their first years, talking. Without anything else to do, Jizo could do nothing but listen in to their conversation.
"Have you decided what mandatory elective you are going to take? I'm going to do Sensha-Do." the first girl with long, brown hair said.
"...I'm the same. I mean, most people come to Kuromorimine to do Sensha-Do, and I was pretty good in middle school." The second girl, with short, black hair, answered.
"...I don't know about me," The third and final girl, the shortest of the three, spoke with dejection. "...and the deadline for picking one is right around the corner…I was just a radio operator in middle school…"
"Come on, I'm sure you can get in if you try."
"...Still…They do this whole interview period for their candidates, and it's far too stressful, and stuff…"
"Don't give me that. Hey, I was thinking of doing Sensha-Do too, we all have experience in it, right? If we all get in, we could man the same tank, wouldn't that be fun?"
"...I guess…"
"Hey," The first girl asked again, "What about her?" Jizo didn't need to look up from her mushed up plate of food to know, they were looking at her now. "I have her in some of my classes, really, she's extremely odd, maybe we should try talking to her?"
"Her?" The third girl responded, "...I'm not sure… I hear people talking about her. She's that weird girl with blonde hair, I don't think anyone even knows her name."
"I haven't heard it either. I don't think she even talks in class."
"...What a weirdo…" The third girl trailed.
"Don't worry about those kinds of girls," The second girl said, "You know, girls like her, they're the worst. They act all silent, and stoic, really just trying to act cool. They think it will get them attention, how lame, right? And, really, trying to appear so special is extremely lame. Who does she think she is, dyeing her hair blonde? Doesn't she know that's against the school policy? No dyeing hair allowed, also, no colored contact lenses. It's really all no cosmetic accessories, but there she is, with those stupid blue eyes. Who does she think she is? They're the worst. I bet she's from some wealthy family who sponsors the school, and that's the only reason why she got in, and she is used to getting all the attention at home. Not like me… Or, not like us. Really, people like her are the worst, I'm glad I don't have her in any of my glasses."
There was a silence, "...That was kinda mean…"
"B-but, it's true, trust me, I know completely how those types of people are."
The three of them went on, continuing to talk about their elective choice, when Jizo finally stood up, and walked over to their table. When she stood over them, all three girls glanced up at her in surprise.
Jizo opened her mouth, "... I heard you all like Sensha-Do?" A shared interest in hobbies and activities, that is one of the best ways to make a friend. She read about it, and the people around her told her about it too. She never took Sensha-Do before, she didn't even know what it was, but Jizo could get into anything if it meant getting a friend. And these three girls, they all seemed to like Sensha-Do, so it would be perfect that way. An easy route to making three whole friends.
"Um…" The first girl stuttered, "Look, we were just, ah', finished eating, right girls?" The other two nodded, "We got class soon, so… We can't talk, bye." With that, the first girl stood, along with the other two. They all threw out their trash, before walking into the pouring rain outside, washing away any chances Jizo had of making friends. Well, that was that.
Another month went by, and Jizo still didn't have any friends. She would wake up, go to school, go home, study, and repeat, every day. She did well in school, and had never broken any rules, so in general, it was very plain. However, she never stopped trying to make a friend, asking any first year she came across if they wanted to 'hang out', and always being refused in different ways. 'Sorry, I'm busy,' 'I have exams to study for and a paper to write,' 'I'm feeling sick today,' 'My mom's friend's brother's dog just died, and I have to go to their funeral,' things Jizo saw as completely legitimate reasons as to why they couldn't 'hang out'.
Eventually, Jizo noticed, people were actually talking to her. Well, not so much as talking to her, but rather talking about her. Behind her back, around the corner, right to her face, anywhere, really. They would say things about her, speculating on the life she lived, and the things she felt. They would talk about what her family life was like, what she did at home, what she thought about a subject, her relations with other people, things Jizo thought would help them become more familiar and friendly with her. But they would also talk about things Jizo thought weren't usual to talk about, at least, no one told her that's what to talk about. Things like her hair, her eyes, the way she talked, the way she walked, the way she stared, the way she ate, Though they could always ask, no one ever did try coming up to talk to her, instead just staying away.
One day, while she was preparing to leave biology class, a girl she had never talked to before came up to her.
"Hey, uh-" The girl stifled a giggle, "I think I dropped my pen under you. Can you check for me?" Another giggle.
"A pen? But you don't sit next to me." Jizo said.
"I-I know, just check, okay? Come on, don't be a bitch about it."
Jizo didn't know what female dogs had to do with anything, but she didn't see anything wrong with looking. So, she bent down under the table, and looked to the floor. It was then that she felt something sticky and wet get slapped onto her hair. Looking up, she saw as the girl she was just talking to was running away, to another group of girls who were all laughing. When she reached them, they pointed to her, laughed harder, and walked away. Jizo touched her hair, and felt the gum that was now stuck to it, that she would have to cut off to get rid of.
On this day, during one of the passing times, a roughly seven minute time frame, Jizo was walking with books in her hand, heading to her next class. She walked diligently, not bothering to look anywhere but ahead of her, ignoring the constant chattering of the students around. Though she was certain, some of them were talking about her. She was just about to the corner when-
Another girl, only slightly taller than Jizo herself, walked right into her side. With very clear deliberation, Jizo was sent to the floor, with her books scattering on the ground. The other girl was standing fine, and Jizo saw her look down, with a smirk on her face. "Hey," The other girl said, her voice filled with anger, "Watch where you hell you're going, first year." As Jizo stood, she tried to collect her books, but was promptly shoved. "Look at your seniors when they speak to you." The other girl continued. Jizo would've wanted to talk, and try to make a friend, but she was busy.
"I have to get to class." Jizo said, trying once again to grab her books, but this time, being stopped when the other girl, who was a grade older than Jizo, grabbed her by the collar.
"I hear about you from time to time, they say there is some first year brat, who goes around acting like they're special or something." It seems word of her had reached even the grades beyond her own, that was good, Jizo thought. "Well listen, I'm gonna teach you a lesson we all gotta learn when you come to Black Forest, and that's that you aren't worth a thing beyond what you can provide." The second year girl finally let go of Jizo, but continued, and at this point, a small crowd gathered around them. "If you are a Kuromorimine student, you have to act the part. In here, you have to look your seniors in the eye, and say, 'yes', to everything they say, got it? And, you have to look the part too, what's with that ridiculous get-up, that stupid hair? What, do you think you are some western or something?"
Suddenly, some people from the crowd spoke up, "Yeah." One person said, "Tell her off," Another exclaimed, and one person even shouted, "Slap that stupid look on her face."
Jizo had no idea what they were doing, or even talking about, so she ignored them. Instead, she shook her head and continued to address the second year, "I've always looked like this."
"Oh', let me guess, momma' let you get away with everything, didn't she? Ah' that finally got a reaction out of you. They say you are constantly looking at everyone like they are stupid, or something, and I got that impression when I first looked at you just now, but no, you really are the dumb one. Someone's dumb mother spent their entire life sheltering her, giving her everything she ever wanted, now she thinks she gets anyway with acting in any way she wants? Well not in Kuromorimine, and that you gotta learn, quick. Go on, get back to class, I don't want to waste anymore time on the first year." Just as the second year was about to leave, she stopped, "Hold on, did you say, 'I've always looked like this,' well?" Jizo nodded. "No kidding, that's your natural hair color? Well I'll be', it seems you really do have some of that west blood in you. What, did your mother get whored out to some wealthy, American man-"
Before the second year could continue, Jizo turned away, trying to leave. It was fine, she thought, she could just get her books later. And, as she tried to go, she said, "Excuse me, I have to get to class-"
It was as she finished, that the second year lunged at Jizo, and grabbed her hair. Jizo felt great pain as her scalped was pulled, and she was forced to the ground, with the second year laying on top of her, continuing to pull harder.
"You think you can just ignore me? While I'm talking to you? No one ever taught you about respect?" The second year raised her own hand, and proceeded to slap Jizo on the ground. Jizo tried to resist, but from the other girl's weight, she couldn't stand. Besides, even if she could, she wouldn't fight back anymore. Even as the pain continued to pile up, and it felt like her hair was going to be pulled off, she laid there taking it, much to the laughter and excitement of the students around them. That was, until another voice sounded.
"Why is everyone gathered in the hall here? Clear out! Class is about to start." In an instant, the girl on the stop of Jizo stood, as many of the students gathered began to leave hurriedly. It took Jizo a few seconds to stand, her head spinning from the pain, and her face red.
When she did, in front of her, was another student besides the second year. She was shorter, fairly short even, and wore a standard Kuromorimine outfit. However, unlike their own, which had a gray outline, she had a green one. This student, by the color, was a member of the school's Disciplinary Committee, the Ordnungspolizei, the Order Police.
It was their job to ensure an easy and peaceful school. "You two," The girl of the Order Police said, "Fighting is strictly against school policy, you both can be expelled for this, so just make it easy and follow me."
"I didn't fight…" Jizo tried to say.
"H-hold on," The second year spoke with a freight, Jizo wondered why she looked so nervous. "H-hey, she started it, the first year. She was just trying to act tough."
"It doesn't matter who started it, you both will be punished for disgracing Kuromorimine with your egos, now hurry up!"
Just as Jizo was about to follow behind obediently, another girl, taller than any of them, walked toward that short member of the order police.
"Hold on just a sec," This girl, who was at least half a foot taller than the order police girl, spoke with a nonchalant, carefree tone. She wore a Kuromorimine uniform, but instead of a gray or green outline, her's was red.
The enforcer sighed, "What do you want, Cahya, I'm trying to deal with this quickly so I can go back to my lunch break."
"I get'ya, really, I do. But, y'see, Bulle." It seems Bulle was the name of the enforcer. "I was here watching the whole fight, you know me, sometimes I like to watch the first years do their thing. Thanks to that, I saw the what happen'n, clear as day, and I can safely say, with confidence, and you know how confident I can be with these things, that the girl over there," The girl in red, Cahya, pointed to Jizo, "Did nothing wrong. Nope, didn't even fight back."
"W-what?" The second year stuttered, "Hold on, I'm telling you, it was-"
"Shut up, would'ya?" The girl in red, Cahya, said coldly. And the second year went stiff.
The Order Police, Bulle, shook her head, "Please, keep your language pleasant while you are in school. Listen, you may be telling the truth, but I have no way to know for certain, as you and the girl in question are telling different tales. Either way, I am here to maintain order and a just system for our school, so it's only fair I take them both in, that's how it is in cases like this."
"Really?" Cahya looked surprised, "I'm telling you something, and you are saying something else? You know, that foolish girl over there said something stupid, 'In here, you have to look your seniors in the eye, and say, 'yes', to everything they say', is what she said, word for word, even. Now, I know that's just her ego talking, even though she is at the bottom of the caste here. Still, she's right about that, like a broken clock, y'know? With that in mind, surely, Bulle, you can see how my status is above yours, right? I mean, look at my outfit, and look at yours. Yours in green, mine's red, see?" She pointed to her red collar. "That means, Bulle, I'm above you, got that? I mean, you are just a traffic guard, really the lowest of the low of the Ordnungspolizei, no offense, but that is just a starter position they give. I mean, they only accept second years, so it's fair that you are still a second year in a low position, but still. And me? My position? Y'know, I'm a part of the Sensha-Do, but that's not all. What else am I? Can you remind me? Just now, you referred to me by my name, but that's not the proper way to refer to me, is it?"
Cahya waited for a response, "No it isn't," Bulle said slowly, "Vice-Kommandant."
"That's right, that's right. So, when I tell you that girl over there," She pointed to Jizo again, "Is innocent, what do you say?"
The enforcer sighed with disappointment, "You there, second year, come with me, now, I don't want any more objections, unless you want a harsher punishment. As for you, first year… Here," She approached Jizo, and handed her a signed piece of paper, "With this, you won't be marked as late when you get to class, now, grab your books, and go, you're already at least five minutes behind."
Before anything more could be said, Bulle grabbed the hand of the second year, who was still now crying in protest, and stomped away in frustration. After that, Cahya walked to Jizo, and whispered in her ear. "I dislike people who don't fight back, y'hear? But still, you owe me now, got it?"
After the whole mess, Jizo hurried to class, and didn't really think much of what just happened. Since she was seemingly a higher grade than herself, Jizo assumed she would rarely see whoever Cahya was again, and if she did, it would only ever be in passing or in the hall. No, instead, she focused on what to do to make a friend. But, it was the very next day, as Jizo was walking home after her elective, did that older girl approach her once again.
"Yo' first year." Cahya said, waving her hand. She too must've just come from school. Her outfit was a mess, her little hat was in her hands, and her long, shoulder length raven hair was tied into a ponytail. Behind her was another girl, roughly the same size, with a similar but slightly lighter shade of hair, both wearing matching outfits with red outlines. "Man, I never did catch your name."
"My name?" Jizo questioned.
"Yeah."
"It's Jizo Nishi-"
"Woah, that's actually a pretty fitting name, yeah'. You look like a Jizo. You kinda got that 'Jizo' feel to ya', y'get it?"
Jizo did not, in fact, get it.
From behind Cahya, the other girl standing there voiced a similar thought, "I don't think she's getting it, sis', I don't get it either."
"Well of course," Cahya said, "You don't get it, Khin, that's why you're the younger sister." She looked at Jizo, "She'll tell you we're twins, but really, she's actually two minutes younger. I'm Cahya Hagasawa, and she's Khin Hagasawa. You, lil' Jizo, are at our mercy. We are gonna mess you up… Dah', I'm just messing with you, but still, we ain't gonna let you off easy."
Jizo stared at her, "What do you want?"
"I need you to just stand right there, and stay quiet."
Nodding her head, Jizo watched as Cayha approached her, and without hesitation, grabbed a lock of her blonde hair. Her hair became rough and messy, as her entire entire head was felt. Was this normal? No one had ever felt her hair before, though people did talk about it. Maybe this was just the next step in that.
After a moment, Cahya let go, "Yep, real hair. It's not dyed."
"Are you kidding me, Cahya," Khin shouted, "I don't think you had to touch it to tell, look at how uncomfortable you made the first year."
Cahya turned to look at Jizo, Jizo looked back, "I think she doesn't mind, she's still got that look, y'know? She's fine. Well then, lil' Jizo, you got any plans? Well cancel them, cause you are coming with me and my sis', we are going to have a little fun."
Taking Jizo by the hand, not leaving her any time a word, Cahya stole her away from wherever she was going.
The first place they went to was an arcade.
"I haven't been here in a while, I've been so busy. But man, this was the best last year, looks a little beat down to be honest, though."
On the Kuromorimine ship, there was one, very large mall that served as the universal shopping district for all residents. There were markets, shops, services, and everything else a normal town would have, packed into a three story building that was around 400,000 sq' feet in size. The Allgemeine Warenhandelsgesellschaft A.G., or the AWAG, served for most of their needs. In the corner of the AWAG, was a small, single floor arcade, designed after the ones often found in the west, and with many of the same games. It was a place that used to be very popular with the students, but in recent years, found dwindling success.
The machine they went to was entirely yellow, with another yellow, spherical thing on the side, and another blue, towel-like thing above it. "This was always my favorite game," Cahya said, "There would always be long queues to play this one, now it's all ours. Alright look, Jizo, you can go first." Cahya showed her how she had to put in change, to press the buttons, and when to move the 'joystick.'
After a few minutes of playing, big red words popped up, 'You Lose.'
"I've lost."
"Seems that way, well, you're not so bad for being new at it. Let me get a spin, I was always the best at it, well, second best."
After a much longer period of time, big green words popped up, 'You Win.'
"You've won."
"That's right, I still got it. So, what did you think?"
"It was fun." Jizo said, in that same, plain expression.
"Eh'," Cahya stared at her, before addressing her sister who had been quiet, "hey Khin. I think she didn't like it."
"No," Jizo repeated, "It was fun."
"No need to lie for my sister's sake," Khin said, "We can still do a lot of stuff."
After leaving the arcade, Jizo was taken to a movie theater. Also based within the AWAG, the theater was grand and wellbuilt, only recently being constructed in the past few years. It was much nicer than the arcade, and was far more populated.
"Here we go," Cahya said, "At least this theater was kept up cleanly. Hell, it's even better than last year. So, lil' Jizo, any movie you want to see? I hear they have some western movies playing, want to check those out?"
In front of Jizo was a board with the names and some images of movies, at least over a dozen, and she didn't know any of them.
"I don't know any of these."
"Really? Well, I know a good one, come on, Khin will get us the popcorn."
In the end, Jizo watched a strange film about space, and a 'chosen one', looking to defeat their own father. With their father being the main antagonist. A lot of the plot didn't make any sense to her, and many of the characters were unfamiliar, as if she missed a very important earlier part that explained what was going on.
After the movie, still drinking from a soft drink beverage, Cahya asked, "So, what did you think of the movie?"
Jizo thought for a moment, "It didn't make sense."
"Wha~t? Well, this is the third movie in the series, what did you think of the other two?"
"I never watched any of these movies, or heard of them."
"Really? How? Everyone talks about this series in school, especially now that this final part has come to Japan, how did you never hear about it?
After a second, Jizo came to a logical conclusion, "If people talk about it, then it makes sense I wouldn't know, because no one ever talks to me."
"O-oh? I-Is that so? Well that's fine. The movie was lame anyway, and screw talking to people, that's boring too. Right, sis'?"
From behind, Khin answered, "R-right…"
"Yeah'," Cahya continued, "Well, enough of this place."
On the third and final destination, they left the AWAG, and headed for a little ice cream stand that faced the outer rim of the carrier boat.
The sun hung low on the horizon, soon to descend, casting the entire sky from its once echoing blue to an orange and reddish hue. The boundless, deep ocean went for miles, with no land in sight. The wind blew gently, causing the grass and fabric to flow with its gust. It was a beautiful sunset. Both she and Cahya were now staring off into the blinding light, standing over the long railings which prevented anyone from falling into the water, each, with a different ice cream in hand. Cahya had bought a neapolitan cone, Jizo had a peach flavored cone, one Cahya bought for her. She hadn't spent a cent all day, but still, that didn't stop her from taking in the delicious flavor. Peaches were one of the few things she was never told that she had to enjoy. The moment she ever ate one, she knew, it tasted better than anything else.
However, Jizo never had ice cream. No, she never even saw one before, and didn't know what it was. So, when Cahya handed her the peach flavored cone, she just held it in her hands, until it began to melt. Cahya rubbed her nose, bought her a new peach flavored ice cream, and said that all she had to do was eat it like any other normal food.
Despite that initial problem, Cahya licked away at her second helping of neapolitan with interest. "I think this is the best part of being on one of these ships. Y'know, I do miss the land, but man, what I wouldn't give to have a sunset like this for the rest of my life. It makes you think that there is so much out there, just from how grand it is, and how distant it all feels. Y'know?"
Jizo didn't know. "I'm not sure, but it's nice."
To that, Cahya laughed, "Yeah', I guess everything is 'nice' to you, I get that feeling. How's the ice cream? I didn't even know they had peach flavored, so I might have to try one now."
"It's good."
"Nice, money well spent. We'll be heading home after this, as soon as Khin is done. She is picking up ice cream for the whole gang. Consider your debt paid."
A debt paid, that reminded Jizo of the morning, "Why did you help me back there?"
"What, you mean back at school? Meh', call it a whim, it's whatever. Well, that's not entirely true, to be honest. I was looking to tease you, y'know? I thought, "Hey, look at this first year, I bet I can mess with her as much as I want, take her around the town, y'get me? I mean, come on, don't get it all twisted. It's just normal for older students to mess with younger students, it's tradition. I was messed with in my first year, and when the time comes, I'm sure you'll get into being the type of person who will want to mess with her own juniors. That's how it is. But, seriously, it was kinda weird, but it's chill. Besides just my own little group, no one really likes to try all the stuff I do, they all say, 'This is Kuromorimine, I don't have time,' or, 'Sorry, I'm doing something else.' Nonsense, everyone's got the time of day to do fun things, and you, you're weird, but you're alright. Hey, and don't worry about paying me back for all of this, I made it seem like this whole thing was you owing me, but really, I made you waste the whole day on stuff you didn't enjoy."
"No," Jizo said, "I did enjoy it."
"It's alright, you don't have to flatter me. I found it fun myself, we should hang out some other time, maybe after the next nationals match."
Jizo was confused, she said she enjoyed it, so why didn't Cahya acknowledge it? Hold on, something first came to her mind now. "Wait," She said, "Did you say you had fun?"
"Uh', yeah? If I didn't I wouldn't be here, silly."
"Then," She had read about this part in those books, "Do you want to be friends?"
"..." Cahya looked stunned, "What?"
"If you have the time," Jizo reiterated, "-and only if you want to, and only if you don't mind the fact that this is Kuromorimine, and we aren't here just to make friends, and only if my hair color doesn't bother you, or if my eyes don't bother, or if the way that I am doesn't bother, or the way I talk, or the way that I walk, or the way I eat, or the way I stare, or anything else about me doesn't bother you. And, if you had fun today, then," Yes, Jizo and read and was told about this moment many, many times. "Then, do you want to be friends?"
"... Lil' Jizo… What are you on about? What kind of question is that?"
"The question I ask when I want to be friends with someone."
Cahya sighed, "Man, if we weren't friends, then why the hell would I still be out here? Or ask to hang out later? I mean, come on, not even you can be that dumb."
"I'm… Dumb?"
"Hell yeah. Listen, Jizo, I don't know what you know, but when it comes to being friends, you don't just ask stupid questions like, 'do you want to be friends,' because, when you ask that, it defeats the whole idea of friendship. Y'see, friendship—damn I'm about to get real philosophical, but man, I think about this stuff all the time—friendship is about two things. Those two things are honesty, and trust, y'get it? If someone is your friend, you don't have to ask, 'Be honest with me,' or say, 'I'm telling the truth', with friends, that stuff just comes naturally. To ask someone directly to be friends, that goes against both those principles, because asking someone if they want to be friends is like asking them if they won't lie to you, or if they think you are lying. You don't become friends by asking for it, you just become friends. I mean, seriously. You don't know how to use an arcade machine, you don't know any of the new movies coming out, and hell, you don't even know what an ice cream is? And people say I can do dumb things at times. You are the very definition of stupid, haha! It's good to have a friend who can take all the heat off me though." She continued to chuckle at her own joke.
"Wait, so you and I are… Friends?"
Cahya groaned, "For god's sake- Yes, dumb girl, isn't that obvious?"
"But, when did that happen, then? If I'm now supposed to ask, 'do you want to be friends,' and you never give a, 'yes', at what point do we become friends?"
"Ah' ya'see, that part… I didn't think about it… But, definitely after the movie theater, we became friends. I don't just take my enemies to get ice cream, though I do have a lot of enemies. Seriously, though, You don't have to ask people to become friends with you. I mean, what about your other friends? Surely you didn't have to outright ask them. Right?"
Trust and honesty, that was what Cahya felt was friendship, so Jizo spoke honestly. "I never had any friends."
"Hahahaha! That's funny as hell, Jizo, and people think I'm a jokester," She slapped Jizo on the shoulder, "I did not expect that from you, hehe." There was an awkward pause as soon as she stopped laughing, "You are joking, right?"
Jizo shook her head, "I'm being honest."
"O-oh? Oh. W-wait, no that's not what I meant. Shit, uh…" Cahya turned away, but before she did, Jizo thought she saw her face start to get red. "Hey, um' forget all that stuff I said about you being dumb and all, seriously, I am the dumb one." She turned around, her face a little red, "Yep, that's me, the dumb Cahya Hagasawa. You're fine, lil' Jizo, I-I mean, Jizo. Yep, Jizo. Ah-damn," She turned away once again, but this time, Jizo thought she saw a little sparkle appear at the corner of Cahya's eyes. "That explains it… Damn!" She hit herself in the cheek, "I'm such a stupid bitch!"
Jizo tilted her head, and was about to ask how she had any similarities with a female dog, but stopped when Khin returned with a box full of ice cream "I've been trying to tell you that since high school started," Khin said cooly, "Glad to see you finally realized it. What are you talking about, by the way?"
However, instead of a response, Cahya looked up to her with pleading eyes. "O~oh, Jizo, see here, Khin, my lil' sis… She's your second friend, ya'see? Now you have two friends. Me, and her. And we are pretty big deals in this school, so don't worry, we got your back, right, sister of mine?"
Khin looked extremely confused, "I don't know what you're talking about. I mean, being friends with a first year? That isn't even on the team? That's kinda weird-" She was stopped when Cahya hit her in the gut with her elbow.
"I said," Cahya repeated with a strained voice, "You and lil' Jizo, I mean, Jizo, are friends. Right, lil' Sis?"
"R-right…" Khin said through a groan of pain, boiled over, barely hanging onto the box of ice cream. "Friends, close friends, best friends, even. Me and Jizo…"
"That's right, now come on, sis, let's go take Jizo home, I bet she doesn't even know the way back from here."
Jizo thought for a moment, and realized that she was, in fact, lost. She got so caught up, she didn't even pay attention to where she was going, or the time of day, as the sun now set beyond the horizon, and night began to fall.
"Alright then," Jizo answered, "Let's head back."
It was a long day, an eventful day. The first day in Kuromorimine where Jizo really did something. Instead of studying, sleeping, and heading to school, she actually went out with people. And it was during that time, where she did the one thing she couldn't do in months. Sure, it was confusing, sure, she didn't understand it, and sure, it may not have been as she expected or read about, but still, it happened all the same.
Jizo Nishizumi had made friends.
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Author's note.
Hello.
Thank you all for reading this far, really, I hope you enjoy the story of Jizo. I have so much planned for her. And, sorry about the wait, again, I hope the next chapter will come out sooner. I already have it fully planned out, just need to put it into words. Leave a review, if you want, and I will respond to it next time. Either way, most of what I wanted to say was already said at the start, so I'll let you go for now.
Yours Truly.
A.A