Chapter 8: Aguri & Amano
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Amano Keita:
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It's 6 PM in the evening and currently I, Amano Keita, am at my home, helping with the cooking. And the one is cooking tonight's dinner is not my mom or dad or even my brother. Instead...
"Amanocchi, you'll cut your finger if you continue to do like that. Sigh... It's such a shame that you can't even cut the vegetables properly."
Yes... it was indeed the pink haired girl of same age as mine. That was an underwhelming Introduction because in fact, she is one of my most important friends. And ironically my school life is also in turmoil due to her.
"Oh come on... I don't think most of the boys are really good at this kind of works."
"It's not like I told you to do these though."
"Yeah but I can't let you do all the work."
"But if you cut your fingers..."
"Don't worry I- Ouch!"
"You've done it now!"
Indeed I've done it... In the flow of the conversation I didn't take care of my fingers and now one of my fingers of the left hand is bleeding. Aguri-san asked me about the first-aid and immediately she started to cure my finger.
"I can do the bandage myself, Aguri-san."
"Amanocchi is useless after all."
I can't really argue with her about this. How embarrassing it is that even after she warned me about cutting my fingers... I still didn't take care of it. Aguri-san gently held my hand while bandaging. She might be saying she was irritated but I could see her still smiling. Please don't be so kind. I'm already in love with you, how more do you want me to suffer?
After that, Aguri-san ordered me to do nothing. Although I was reluctant, I meekly obeyed her.
Within half an hour, the dinner was completed. The beautiful dinner was then served by Agurisan on the table. Rice, curry, steamed vegetables, miso soup and also kushikatsu**...
I had several questions to Aguri-san, who was now wiping her sweats over her forehead and showing me a victory sign.
"So what do you think about this, Amanocchi?"
"Well... I have many questions... but first of all, how did you know cooking so well, Aguri-san?"
"Huh? Didn't I tell you already, Amanocchi? I used to learn cooking to make lunch for Tasuku."
"Yeah but I didn't expect you to be so good."
"Unfortunately all of my works became vain because I didn't have a chance to show these to Tasuku..."
"And that heartbreaking story of your handmade lunch getting messed up while carrying it to school..."
"Don't remind me... that was so disappointing..."
"It's okay, Aguri-san. Let's eat then..."
"Yeah... itadakimasu!", Aguri-san replied with a smile.
Well... just like appearance, the food tastes so good! I couldn't believe Aguri-san could be a cook this good.
"How did it taste, Amanocchi? I think it's good."
"It's not just good... it's absolutely beautiful..."
"Eh really? I didn't expect you would find this so good."
"I'm not lying. This curry might be even better than my mom's and my mom is a very good cook."
"W-Well... L-Let's not get so carried away, Amanocchi.", Aguri-san answered while looking away. Her face was a little bit red so it's obvious she got embarrassed by the praises.
However, I still have a question...
"Even so Aguri-san, I didn't think at first you would be interested in cooking. You're a gal after all. I guess, my impression on gals were not correct."
"Well... Amanocchi...", Aguri-san hesitated a bit and then said, "I'm not really a gal though. I use this appearance of a gal."
"Huh? So you're telling me you don't love being a gal."
"Well...In the middle school, I was just a plain girl and I wanted to look cuter to impress Tasuku."
"Ah so that's how it is!", Aguri-san really had done a lot to get attention from Uehara-kun. I'm really sad after thinking that how their relationship now are in a brink of collapse. I can't help but think that it might all be my fault.
"Umm... Amanocchi... what do you think about this?"
"Think about what?"
"I mean the way I changed... Do you think it's good. Or was I just too desperate for Tasuku?..."
I fell silent. Indeed I don't like to be changed. Even the one who I am, is useless and not attractive, I don't like to change my personality because of impressing someone else. But in case of Aguri-san... I looked at her, and she was waiting for my answer. I coughed a little to make this situation unnecessarily dramatic.
"Indeed I don't like to change my character just to get attention but...", I stopped to see Agurisan's face. She was looking down being a little disappointed.
"However...", I continued, "It doesn't matter in your case Aguri-san."
"Huh?", Aguri-san looked at me being confused. Meanwhile I stood up and dramatically declared,
"Because you're always the cutest whatever you wear!"
"...Eh?", Aguri-san looked at me with a shocked face.
What? She didn't like my compliment? Please say something. This situation is so awkward now!
"I-I mean I was saying y-you look definitely good in every attire, A-Aguri-san.", I desperately tried to end this awkward atmosphere but Aguri-san still remained silent. After a minute of me stuttering, Aguri-san finally answered,
"You know Amanocchi?"
"Yes?"
"You're an Idiot."
"As if I didn't know that already..."
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After finishing our dinner I was thinking about what to do now... Aguri-san were going to wash the plates but I requested her to give that job to me. "You'll break the plates, Amanocchi." "Jeez, I'm not a 5 year old child, Aguri-san."
"Fine then..."
It took 10 minutes to wash the plates. Meanwhile Aguri-san was sitting in the sofa of the living room. She was watching TV for some time but I guess she didn't find anything interesting. When I finished washing the plates, Aguri-san asked me with interest,
"Amanocchi, what do you think we should do now?"
"Let me see... play an RPG game?"
"Wrong!"
"Then... play a shooting game?"
"WRONG!"
"Not that too? Okay... then play a-"
"Could you stop with your games please! Jeez, you can see I don't like games."
"Uh-oh... then how about ludo?"
"Did you even hear me? I said no games. Anyway I'll tell you what we should do... Let's watch a movie."
"A movie? Fine then. What movie do you want?"
"Well... let me see... I love romantic movies."
"R-Romantic?!"
Seriously? You want to see a romantic movie with me? You sometimes forget I'm not even your boyfriend.
"Yeah I don't really like like other genres. I want to watch a romantic movie right now. Do you have any DVDs Amanocchi?", Aguri-san asked me happily.
"Well... I don't really watch movies or dramas. I have many DVDs of animes though." "Eh? How boring!"
"Hey don't make a face like that saying, 'As expected of you' okay?"
"Sigh... Amanocchi, I don't know what's the point of you."
"Rude... and also some anime movies are quite good. You should try those at least."
"As I don't have any choice so let's see what you get.", Aguri-san finally looked interested.
I immediately brought some DVDs from my room and showed her. She looked at those for some minutes.
"These are all very good anime movies, Aguri-san. As you said romance movies, so how about Kimi no na wa?"
"Umm... no..."
"Huh? Okay... then how about Weathering with you?"
"No..."
"Huh? Why? You don't even know how good these are. Why not try at least?"
"Amanocchi, look at the themes of these films. It's written supernatural here..."
"Ah... well it does contain some mild supernatural elements. But overall I don't think you'd be too bothered."
"No means no. I want something pure slice of life."
"Okay... then Koe no katachi?"
"Uh okay... WAIT... it's written here, 'Watch at your own risk'. What does it mean?"
"Ah well... you'd crying as hell once you finish the movie."
"No way then... I want to have fun... not to cry."
Ugh... this girl! You just can't satisfy her, can you? Being tired and irritated I said,
"F*ck this all. Let's watch Chuunibyou demo koi ga shitai."
"Umm... okay. But is this really good?"
"Quite good! Now stop complaining and watch it!"
"If you say so... but what is the synopsis of this? Huh? A girl who has 8th grade syndrome? What a weird story."
"It's not weird, it's a cute love story."
"Really? Okay then let's give it a try..."
At long last, she agreed to it. What a pain...
To be honest I still enjoy being with her. In fact, I want this to continue... yeah I'm basically the weird one here. Also I deserve to be punched hard. At this point, I'm unironically the antagonist in any rom-com anime, passing time with one of the heroines at my home. Trying to snatch the heroine away from the protagonist? I can never enjoy rom-com animes the same way again!
Here 15 minutes into the anime...
"Ugh! So cringe! So cringe! So crinnngggeeee..."
"Don't shout so loud, Aguri-san!"
"Amanocchi, how can you watch this? It's so cringe. 8th grade syndrome can be so embarrassing. I can't find anything cute here."
"Just be patience. It's worth the wait."
This anime is indeed cringe. But as time passes, one can cope up with the cringe easily and the story keeps become better. I have watched this anime many times and I can say this is really good. "I don't see how this can become any better..."
"Trust me, it will."
"Sigh... okay...", Aguri-san sat on the sofa again hoping for something interesting to happen. Times passed...
I glanced at Aguri-san... and she was enjoying the show! At first it was unbearable for her. But I knew the show would eventually win over her.
"Aguri-san... You're loving it, right?"
"Sshh... Don't disturb here, Amanocchi. I want to see how Yuuta would think to confess to her."
"Ah okay..."
Damn! Who exactly was disturbing at first? What a U-turn!
Although I have to agreed this scene is indeed one of the most special scenes of this anime and no one should be disturbed while watching it. Aguri-san was also watching it with 100% attention.
But I kinda like the selfishness of Aguri-san. I like to be spoiled by her and also spoiling her. Moreover from tomorrow onwards, I might never get the chance again to be with her. We can't deceive Uehara-kun anymore. Tomorrow we need to properly apologise to him.
Suddenly Aguri-san chuckled and started hitting my left shoulder lightly. We were sitting in the ends of a sofa for 3 persons but now she was almost over me. It broke my chain of thoughts. "What a weird and funny confession was that!"
"Ah!"
The confession scene already happened? Well... I wasn't paying attention. I already watched this anime so I know all that. In the confession scene, the main boy Yuuta basically wanted to confession to the girl, Rikka but it was her who first confessed to him without giving him time. However he didn't want to lose to her so he tried to confess to her anyway but got embarrassed in the halfway. It was both funny and cute at the same time.
"Say Amanocchi, I can find a lot of common things between you and the protagonist."
"Really? Is he that innocent like me?"
"Eh? No. I was thinking he is as clumsy and dense as you."
"Shut up."
And also... don't rest your head on my shoulder, Aguri-san! The warmth is driving me crazy. Don't you realise that I'm not your Uehara-kun? She is not even thinking about my problem here and continues to watch the anime.
I was trying to find out something to wake her up. She was looking very cute while resting on my shoulder but I'm also a boy. I couldn't keep this going on otherwise I might do something bad to her.
"H-Hey Aguri-san! It's already 8:30 PM. You would have to go home now."
"Eh it's already that much? I see.", Aguri-san didn't even separate from me and continued to watch the show.
"What do you mean 'I see', Aguri-san? When would your parents come home?"
"Umm... about 10 P.M."
"So I should get you home now. Let's go."
"Eh? Let watch this a little more."
"But your parents would be worried."
"I would tell them I'm going to stay the night at friend's house."
"Please don't!"
After so many requests, finally Aguri-san agreed to go home. Just as she separated from me, I was already missing a warmth. I was sad but I shouldn't continue this anymore.
Outside of my house, I was going to pick up my bicycle but Aguri-san stopped me.
"Amanocchi, it's already 8:45 P.M. It's not good for you to ride your bicycle now."
"Don't worry about it. I'm good."
"No means no. I'll go with the bus."
"O-Okay but let me take you to the bus stop at least."
As I was leaving with Aguri-san, suddenly someone called me from behind,
"Hey Onii-chan! Where are you going at this time?"
"Eh? Kousei?"
Kousei, my little brother, was staying at my grandmother's house with my parents but he came back right now. Aguri-san also looked confused.
"Onii-chan, Mom was worried about your dinner and that's why she told me to go home right now. I also brought this food from store... wait a minute... who is this girl?" "Ah this‐-"
"Hello I'm Aguri, a friend of Amanocchi. Also don't worry about dinner. Amanocchi and I have eaten already.", Aguri-san didn't give me a chance to say anything.
"Oh... so that's how it is!", Kousei suddenly looked at me with a massive grin on his face. I don't like where this is going. He hit me on my shoulder lightly and continued,
"Amanocchi right Onii-chan? I didn't know you would have got such a cute girlfriend. You really caught a big fish."
I could see Aguri-san getting uncomfortable now. She averted her eyes from us. Of course I
can't blame Kousei here. Anyone could get this same misunderstanding if they see us.
"That's not it, Kousei. She is just my friend. Also I'll explain to you later. For now I'm getting her to the bus stop."
"Oh sure Onii-chan. And by the way have fun."
Kousei have gone now but Aguri-san still looks a bit uncomfortable. I assured her not to worry about Kousei's words and we walked to the bus stop.
As we both were standing there waiting for the bus, Aguri-san asked me,
"Say Amanocchi... now from tomorrow we have to go to school right?"
"Yeah of course... we can't bunk everyday right?"
"But Amanocchi... what should we do then tomorrow?"
I sighed and told her, "You don't have to do anything. I'll go and apologise to Uehara-kun personally."
"B-But I should also be-"
"Please don't. It will make this situation worse."
"But Amanocchi... after you apologise, everything would be okay?"
"Uehara-kun is a very good person, you know? He doesn't do anything problematic. So done worry. I guess it will take some time but everything would be natural once again." I smiled at Aguri-san. However she wasn't smiling but tensed.
"But then you, Amanocchi?"
"Well I think I should go to my regular routine and also I shouldn't disturb you."
"Eh?"
"Don't "eh"... it's the only good possible solution after all."
"But... can't we just meet in the restaurant just like we always do?"
"Sigh... That's not really good, you know? It literally doesn't change anything."
Aguri-san became quiet again. I don't really want to do this. I want to continue like what we usually do. But I guess for everyone's sake, we shouldn't meet.
I could see a bus was also coming from far. Definitely it was Aguri-san. She was ready to get on it. However she looked back at me...
"Amanocchi, you're completely fine with it, right?"
"Fine with what?"
"Even if we don't meet anymore, it doesn't matter to you, right?" "Eh?"
Aguri-san looked at me... with teary eyes. I had seen Aguri-san crying before. She did cry many times before whenever we met in the restaurant. But I never seen her shredding tears like this. Her face in the faint light of the street lamp was cute but painful.
No, Aguri-san. It does matter to me. In fact, I never wanted this. But if I say this...
The bus eventually stopped at our stoppage. Aguri-san also averted her eyes from mine and got on the bus. So is this it? So I would never talk to Aguri-san again? I would never eat her food? I would never see her smile? I would never hear useless arguments from her?
Aguri-san already got on the bus. The bus would leave at any moment. I knew time was running out and finally made up my mind.
"Aguri-san!", I shouted. She, while sitting on the window seat, looked at me with the same teary eyes. I smiled at her and said,
"Aguri-san, tomorrow 4 PM at the family restaurant, okay?" "Eh?"
Aguri-san first looked shocked but then I noticed the pure happiness blooming on her face. Then suddenly she got up from her seat and hurriedly got off the bus. What on earth are you doing!
"Hey what happ-"
I couldn't complete my sentence because... Aguri-san was already hugging me... she buried her head against my chest and chuckled,
"So you love it after all, Amanocchi? Fufu."
First of all, I don't even know how I'm still alive after this much warmth. Aguri-san, could you not see the condition of my heart here?
Secondly, Yes... I love it... I love spending time with you... and I'm sorry to everyone especially Uehara-kun... but I can't escape from this anymore.
I didn't say anything to her but smiled and kept stroking her head... she also continued to nuzzle against my chest. At this moment, I even forgot where we were. Fortune there were not any public in this stoppage. But...
"Hey! Won't any of you get on? Then I would leave."
""N-No wait a moment!""
Both of us shouted at the bus driver who was genuinely irritated as Aguri-san got off the bus. Now she again got on the bus... hopefully this time permanently.
The bus started to leave and I waved my hands towards Aguri-san, who was also doing the same. In the end I just can't be without her.
The bus eventually left and I felt a bit empty. What is this? We would meet tomorrow again but I'm still feeling empty already. Nevermind how on earth I was thinking about not meeting her ever...
I sighed and was about to go back home. Today was an eventful day... from morning to night. Hopefully this is it for today.
"Wait, Amano-kun."
Well... I was a little bit wrong. Behind me, Misumi-kun was standing with his usual smile. I don't know since when he was there. Did he see me and Aguri-san together?
"Oh Misumi-kun? What are you doing at this time?"
Misumi-kun showed me his shopping bag and said, "That new RPG game, what you talked about with me... it was for sale at this time."
"Oh really! I forgot about that.", it's pretty clear I forgot. I mean, I was busy today... quite busy.
"It's really odd for you to forget about games, Amano-kun... but I can believe it tonight."
"What do you mean?"
"Amano-kun, please tell me it was another misunderstanding..." "Eh?"
"What I saw just a moment ago, was another misunderstanding, right?"
Ah... so he saw it ... yeah... someone just had to be there... like always. It always happens...
I cursed my luck and said, "Sorry Misumi-kun. Unfortunately it's not."
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[To be continued]
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**Kushikatsu: Japanese style fried chicken.
**Kousei: Amano's little brother. Not appeared in the anime but has a major role in the "Gamers!" Light novel.