Ohayou, Ono-chan!

At the Kobayashi household

The only light in my room was the glow of my computer screen. My earbuds were in, but no music was playing. I scanned my screen carefully, searching for something.

"He's at Mid Doors," a voice told me.

"Can't any of you take care of him?" I asked as I set up behind the walls of T spawn.

"You idiot! You're the last one alive!"

"I am?" I asked. I hit the Tab key to see the scoreboard. I took a look at my side of the board. Five names popped up. All of them except my username had the word "Dead" next to them. "Oh crap! I am!"

As you could probably see, I was playing Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, a competitive first-person shooter. I was in a ranked match, which meant that this game was very vital at winning. If I won, I would be able to advance up the skill tree. But if I lost, I will be penalized. We were also in the tie-breaker round. Whoever wins this round will win the game and vice versa.

Right now, I was playing on the map Dust II. I was playing on the Terrorist team. I was the last alive apparently, as my other teammates died from the Counter-Terrorists.

"Is that CT the last alive?" I asked.

"Yeah. He should be," replied a different voice. I was playing with a group of online friends that I have met on the game. We were all on the same Discord call to communicate with each other. Three of them were from the mainland US, but one of them is from the UK.

"Crap," I groaned. I switched from my AK to my Deagle, then back to my AK. It was just a habit that I (and a lot of other CSGO players) have developed. Just switching between the primary, secondary, and melee weapons. "I'm gonna have to go through Suicide."

I pushed the spacebar to jump over the barrier that blocked me from walking off the T spawn. My character hopped over the short wall and entered the adjacent tunnel, called Suicide, to walk towards the hallway, called Mid, that opened up to the CT spawn.

"Right door or left?" I asked.

"Right side. He's camping in the corner. Be advised, twenty seconds remaining."

"Roger." I held the shift key to slow my character down, minimizing the sound of my footsteps.

I got to the door. I pushed my character up against the right door, gaining me visual access to the other side of the left door. There was no one hiding behind the left door, so it had to be the right one.

Ten seconds remaining on the countdown timer. I had to take the shot now.

I let go of the shift key and got ready to hit the spacebar to get around the corner with a jumping ambush. Five seconds remaining. I hit the spacebar. My character jumped forward. I moved my mouse to aim my rifle to where I had predicted the enemy was going to be. Just then, though…

My phone screen lit up brightly, blinding me like a flashbang in the game. My loud metal rock ringtone blared. As my character landed, I looked next to my keyboard to where my phone was, taking my attention off to what I was doing.

The sound of a quick burst of gunfire and a collective groan filled my ears. As I checked my screen again, I saw my character's dead body. The enemy CT was crouch spamming, taunting me.

"Damnit, Sawyer! I was almost up to the next level!" whined one of my friends.

"What the hell happened?" moaned another guy.

"Sorry guys! My phone went off!" I tried to defend myself.

"Ugh. Whatever. I'm outta here." One by one, I heard the sound of my friends disconnecting from the call until I was the last one in it. I hung up and closed my laptop, disappointed in myself.

I picked up my phone and took a look at my screen. The time was one o'clock in the morning. I don't need sleep on the weekends, so I stay up late either studying or playing a game. On the screen read "Ono-chan: missed call (1)".

The only numbers that I had on my phone were my friends and family back home, the exchange student's, and Ono-chan's. She was the one who asked for my number, but I really didn't have the courage to ask the other girls for theirs. The only girls' numbers that I had on my phone was my younger sister's and the trio.

I swiped right, calling her back. I put the phone up to my ear, hearing the steady drone of the ringing. After a second or two, a voice answered back.

"Hello? Lee-kun?" a familiar voice asked.

"My God, Ono-chan. Look at the time. It's dark out. Why are you still up?" I asked.

"I woke up and got hungry."

I just stared off into space, fuming in anger from this. I lost a game to this? To this girl getting hungry in the middle of the night?

"So," I said haltingly, "Why. Did. You. Have. To. Call. Me. In. The. Middle. Of. The. Night?"

"I told you!" she whined through the phone, "I got hungry! I want food!"

"Then make some yourself! I know you're a grown woman. Why can't you make food without you calling me?" I exclaimed.

"Because I can't!"

"What do you mean, you can't?" I was about to go over the top with this.

A second of silence has passed. Finally, she answered.

"I ate it all already," she said, her voice almost inaudible.

Okay. I have had it with this BS! I hung up. I threw on a pair of shorts and a shirt and went over to her house in less than five minutes.

Her front door opened up into her house. "Didn't think you'd actually come!" yawned Ono-chan. She wore a white blouse and red short shorts. That white blouse only had her bottom buttons buttoned. The right collar was sagging down her arm, exposing her bare shoulder. She wasn't wearing a bra from what I could tell. Her hair was a mess and her signature bow was missing.

"Ono-chan, no offense or anything, but you look like you've been hit by a truck."

"I was sleeping!" she whined, "Did you bring any food?"

"N-no," I stammered, "it would be rude to take food from the Kobayashi's."

"Well, what can I eat?" Ono-chan pouted like the little brat that she is.

I sighed, putting my hand to my head as if I wanted to hold that melon. "C'mon. I'll just take you to McDonald's."

Outside, we were walking down the street in less than five minutes. Ono-chan just quickly combed down her hair and placed her bow where it usually is. She had put on a pair of socks and running shoes. She also fixed her blouse as so it did not expose her right, um... Ya know what, I'm not gonna say anything more. Could've sworn that was also one of the white blouses that she wears under her blazer.

We turned the corner to the little market place where stands and stores would sell anything, from souvenirs to food. All of them were closed though. The streets were also barren. No one was walking other than some late-night office workers in suits and ties.

Sometimes, when I wouldn't sleep at all, I would take walks around the city nearby.

It has already been a couple of weeks since I first arrived in April. I already hang out with two groups of friends here in Japan: the exchange students who traveled here with me and the girls at the Literature Club. Every day after school, I would go to the club (except on Wednesdays when I have an exchange student meeting) to spend my afternoons.

I guess you could say I am already accustomed to how Japan works. The cities in Japan is much like the cities in America. Public transportation such as buses and trains are one of the main ways people navigate the densely populated metropolises. Really, the only difference is that Japan drives on the left side of the road, where America drives on the right. Also, a lot of customs here in Japan is relatively the same in America.

After walking for five minutes, we stopped at the still open restaurant. Most Mickey D's locations are open all hours of the day, perfect for late night binge eating. I guess Ono-chan had the munchies and decided to drag me down here.

As we entered, we noticed that there were no customers. Of course, there are no customers, I thought, It's one thirty in the freaking morning!

I let Ono-chan order what she wanted. I didn't want anything, so I'll be fine. She got a cheeseburger with a soft drink and a medium order of french fries. I paid the cashier a little more than 500 yen.

We sat down at a table that sat two people opposite each other. After saying "Itadakimasu", Ono-chan unwrapped her burger and chowed down.

As I watched her eat her midnight snack, I was thinking about how that game I was playing could've gone. I would've guessed I had a fifty-fifty percent chance on winning based on how much of a visual advantage he has at that area. Damn, I really screwed it up by taking my eyes off the screen to answer Ono-chan. It's like taking your eyes off the road when driving.

I yawned. Crap, I am… so tired. Usually, after this gaming session, I would go to sleep. When this bun decided to call me to get a snack, I was forced to abandon my sleep. I really should take better care of myself.

My eyes must've drifted downwards right down onto Ono-chan's order of fries. On top of that, I was getting a little peckish once my gaze landed on her food. Now that you think about it, I really should eat something. But I don't wanna be rude and I don't wanna stand back up to order more. The cashiers might take me for a fatass for getting another order.

"Go ahead and have some," Ono-chan spoke with her mouth still full. She pushed the tray that had the fries towards me.

"Th-thanks," I stammered as I reached out my hand to grab a couple of fries. I popped the thinly sliced sticks of deep fried potatoes into my mouth.

"Did I wake you?" asked Ono-chan after swallowing another mouthful of her burger.

"No," I replied, "I was playing a game with some of my friends back home."

"You… weren't sleeping?"

"Nope!"

"Well, why did you seem a little angry?" Ono-chan took a sip from her soft drink.

"When you called me, I was in the middle of something. I messed up and took my concentration off for a second."

"Oh, sorry about that!" Ono-chan smiled, but as a man who smiles a lot, I could tell she forced this one. She's forcing this smile? Why? I'm not angry. I just looked pissed when it's late at night.

"I always try to cheer people up," she pouted, "In the end, I always make it worse."

"Hey, Ono-chan," I tried comforting her, "It's fine. I can always play again. But your stomach…"

"Hehe," she nervously giggled, "Yeah. I just got hungry."

"What I don't understand though is why did you get hungry. If you ate dinner, you wouldn't need to drag me out of the house in the middle of the night."

"Well…" Ono-chan said, her voice higher than usual, "I didn't."

"You didn't? Didn't what?"

"Didn't eat dinner." Ono-chan sat down further in her seat.

I put my hand up to my eyebrows, rubbing them in pure frustration.

"Why. Didn't. You. Eat. Dinner?" I asked through gritted teeth.

"I ran out of food" Ono-chan replied, "And I didn't wanna go out to the store to get more."

I feel more like a disappointed parent. I feel like I'm taking care of a little kid still learning how the world works. Is this what it's like to raise me, Dad?

"Okay. When are your parents coming back from work?" I asked.

"Not until Monday," replied Ono-san.

I put my thumb and index finger to my eyebrows and rubbed them. It was a habit that I had whenever I get frustrated or I have to think. Everyone has one of those things.

"Um," I said after a pause, "Let's go shopping for groceries tomorrow. We're just gonna get enough to last you until your parents come back."

Really, I just need enough to get Ono-chan through the next day. Assuming she eats a lot, I'll get a good amount of food.

"Yeah! Let's!"

She finished up eating her food quickly, throwing away the wrapper. We shared the fries and threw that container away. We stood up and walked back home, Ono-chan holding her cup of soda.

When I got home, I changed back into my PJs and crashed on the bed, tired. I'll just sleep in late and go shopping for groceries later.

Morning

I was awoken by a knock on the door. No, not a knock on my bedroom door, a knock on the front door. God, that's a loud knocker. Who is it?

I tumbled out of bed and quickly went downstairs. Ms. Kobayashi already has answered the door while Mr. Kobayashi was still preparing breakfast.

The aroma of the breakfast filled the room. This time, it seems, Mr. Kobayashi is cooking another American breakfast. I could smell bacon and pancakes. Mr. Kobayashi waved at me when he noticed I was salivating a little bit and I said hi back.

"Ohayo! Morning!" two voices called out from the front door. Ms. Kobayashi had noticed me and smiled. The other person who was at the door was a certain person who dragged me out of the house in the middle of the night to get some food.

"Ono-chan. It's seven in the morning and you're already knocking at my door. I need my beauty sleep, you know," I groaned as I rubbed my eyes. I yawned and sniffled.

"Well, you know me!" exclaimed the girl with the perky attitude, "Besides, I thought you don't sleep. You looked fine to me last night when you came over."

"Wait, wait, wait," Ms. Kobayashi paused our little conversation, "You came over to her house in the middle of the night?"

"Y-yeah," I stammered but was promptly cut off by my caretaker.

"You were at her house last night?" she asked again as if she was stunned at my answer.

"Y-yeah, I was over at her house. Why?" I asked.

Ms. Kobayashi stared at me as if I had killed a puppy in front of her for about a good half a minute. What? What's wrong with me going to her house in the middle of the night? ...Oh, crud.

"I-I didn't do what you're thinking right now!" I tried explaining, "We just went out to grab a bite to eat!" She probably thought that we did… that. She's supposed to be my caretaker here in Japan and one of her responsibilities were to not let me do stupid stuff.

"Okay, good!" Ms. Kobayashi let out a sigh of relief. "I haven't had my coffee in the morning and I had to stay up a little late at the office last night. I can't think straight right now."

Ms. Kobayashi and her husband work as accountants for this one firm in the metro area. Usually, they would get home at around seven, but Ms. Kobayashi had lots of stuff to do, so she ended up coming home at around eleven at night. Mr. Kobayashi, on the other hand, had some business to attend to, so he couldn't help his wife out at the office. Must be hard working all day. She's probably dead tired right now.

Ono-chan had breakfast with us today. After that, Mr. Kobayashi gave Ono-chan three of those meals that come in packages so that she has enough to go through the day. Looks like we don't have to go shopping for groceries. But what should I do with my day? All my friends that I play with are sleeping, so I can't play with them. I had already reserved my day for this, but what can I do now?

"Lee-kun?" asked Ono-chan as she finished her last spoonful of cereal, "Do you wanna go shopping with me?"

"Shopping?" I asked as I drank the last of my orange juice. "Shopping for what?"

"I dunno. Clothes, I guess," Ono-chan said as she shrugged her shoulders. Shopping for clothes? Together? Just me and her?

"Is it just us? Or are we bringing along anyone from the club?" I asked.

"No, I'd rather just hang out with you today! I just wanna see if I can make you happy all by myself!" she smiled.

"L-like, as in a d-date?" I stuttered. What am I doing? You're making yourself look like a loner! I've never been on a date, let alone have a girlfriend! What do I do? Last night doesn't count because it was just to get some food! What do I do on a date, anyway? What do I say?

As these questions swirled around my mind, Ono-chan replied, "Well, if you want it to be a date, then it's a date!"

Later

I can't believe that I agreed to do this. I'm going shopping with Ono-chan. It'll just be the two of us, just like a date. I should be happy, but I'm worried that I'm gonna be a nervous wreck.

I was waiting in front of her house as she got changed into something a little more suitable for going out into the city. I was just slapped on my uncle's old army jacket, a plain black t-shirt, and a pair of ripped jeans. I was going for an old nostalgic look, especially with my uncle's yellow-and-black 1st Cavalry division patch on my arm, but I just ended up looking like an edgy emo. I didn't really care about what I was wearing, but I guess Ono-chan's a different story.

It was a few hours after she came over to eat breakfast. After eating, she went back home to finish up her remaining homework that's due tomorrow. I, on the other hand, caught up on some anime that I didn't have time to get to. Now, it was already almost twelve. We were set to go out at eleven thirty.

As I waited in front of her house, I breathe in the calm Japanese air, admiring the still falling cherry blossom leaves. You gotta admit, when you see pink leaves on a sakura tree, it seems like you travel back in time. It feels calming yet nostalgic. It makes Japan feel colorful and vibrant. I'm used to the tropical kind of calmness, but not like this.

It's like Hawaii, but different at the same time. The calm breeze hits the pink leaves the same way it hits the tropical palm fronds on a beach.

A scream soon jars me back into reality. I turned around and looked up at the window above. I assumed that was where Ono-chan's room was. I guess I was right because I see her scrambling around the room, bed sheets and clothes flying everywhere. Five minutes later, the front door flew open.

"Ahh!" a certain someone screamed as the door recoiled back and almost hit her, "I overslept!" In the doorway stood the little bundle of sunshine herself, wearing a pink long-sleeved shirt with the sleeves rolled back to the elbows and a pair of blue denim short shorts.

"Ono-chan," I chastised the girl, "You gotta learn how to be responsible! Soon, I'm gonna be long gone and you will have to take care of yourself!"

"I know!" she smiled.

"C'mon! We're gonna be late for the train!"

The train arrived as soon as we reached the platform. There's no transit system on the island of Oahu, so I wasn't used to using trains. Of course, I know what it's like to be on a train because I've been in the dirty subway in NYC. I just followed Ono-chan because I assumed that she knew what she was doing, even if she was an airhead. An airhead can do this easily. It isn't that hard.

I really haven't been to the city to shop. I'm not much of a shopping guy, though I doubt that most guys are. I'm just the type of guy who would look good in anything. Hell, army jackets were a thing of the past but I'm still wear them. I do think I still look a little fly with them. But, I'm friends with Ono-chan, so I decided to go.

We took the train to the city. It took us about fifteen minutes, give or take a few, to get to the nearest shopping district. It was a rather smooth ride, with me just being fascinated with the falling leaves falling from the sakura trees while I had small talk with Ono-chan.

When we got to our stop, we hopped off and left the platform. It didn't take long for us to get to the shops. Towers loomed over us, with flashing lights showcasing goods, movies, and other advertisements that you can see in a city. The streets were lined with storefronts, with mannequins wearing the latest trends, attracting wouldbe customers.

I already had enough clothes. I brought half of my closet with me, so I think I'm set. But, I'm not the one shopping here. I was just dragged out of the house.

To be honest, I think this whole thing with Ono-chan dragging me out of the house was to make me happy. With other people, Ono-chan would not be liked. No one wants to be forced out of the house at one in the morning. I might have sounded a little angry when she did, but that was really due to me losing a game. I was just frustrated, so I wasn't exactly in a good mood. But, I did agree to go out to get food with her. And I was perfectly fine with going shopping with her, even if it was the two of us. Of course, I don't want people to think we're a couple, but I would do anything for a friend. I even woke her up in the morning a few times already, it didn't really matter.

We went shopping for about five hours. When it was all over, I ended up carrying all the bags. I didn't mind, though. I'm pretty strong and all these clothes were light enough to carry, so I offered to take Ono-chan's merchandise. I think I had about three bags in each arm. All of them were Ono-chan's. I didn't buy anything because, well, I didn't want to.

Today was, despite it looking like me just trudging through torture, really fun. I got to hang out with a friend that I had met a couple of weeks ago. It almost felt like a real date. You could say it was practice for a real date. Hey, I might even go out with one of the girls that I meet here! I'm starting to like the fact that I'm the only guy in the Literature Club. I think the fact that I can woo the girls with my words on a page is actually growing on me.

I thought about the four girls when I got home. There was Ono-chan, the perfect childhood friend who brightens up the room with her radiant sunlight. Then there was Saito-san, the quiet and sophisticated girl who can be very mysterious and nervous at the same time. There was Nakano-san, the deceivingly cute girl who can pack a punch. And then there was Takeuchi-san, the girl all the guys would go after. I admit I would try too as well, but I think I'm way too out of her league. I should be lucky that I can even talk to her.

But the question is, would I be able to find love behind that door? Would they ever love me? What would it take just to find that special day? Who knows? I guess you'll have to hang with me to the very end.


Honorifics: (Underlined honorifics are the ones used in current chapter)

-san: Most common, it is an all-purpose suffix that can be used in any situation where politeness is expected. Basically the titles Mr. Ms. etc.

-sama: This suffix is one level higher than "-san" and is used to confer great respect.

-kun: This suffix is commonly used at the end of boys' names to express endearment.

-chan: Feminine version of -kun.

Senpai: Superior/Upperclassmen.

Sensei: Master.


Translation notes:

1. Ohayou (gozaimasu) is Japanese for good morning.

2. Yen the Japanese currency. One USD is about 110 Japanese Yen. 500 Yen is about 4.62 USD.

3. Itadakimasu is said to give thanks. It is sort of like giving grace in Japan.


A/N: Wassup! It's me! First things first, if this chapter doesn't seem as up to quality as the rest of the chapters, that's because I pretty much had rushed through this. I had no plan whatsoever when writing this and was just improvising along the way. The way I plan my stories is to think of the big major parts, including the climax, and then just fill in the gaps while leading up to those parts. I thought up the concept of this idea in the five minutes of free time in my Biology class (but, I did end up making a whole conspiracy theory on DDLC in five minutes, so I think it was a good enough idea). The reason why I had rushed through this is that I am leaving in a few days to go to a third world country. I am going to be gone until the fourth of July, so sadly I won't be able to write anything at that time. I might write some chapters while over there offline, but I might not be able to post them. Please, if you really are interested in reading this story, to see how it ends, feel free to follow it. I'll post a new chapter as soon as I can when I come back. Thanks for reading my story so far! This is Sanman, signing off until America's birthday!