The Unfinished Story - Chapter Sixteen
Title: The Unfinished Story
Author: aemrith
Pairing: Yamada Ryosuke/OC, Arioka Daiki/OC, Nakajima Yuto/OC
Rating: PG
Genre: Romance, Friendship, Family
Warnings: May take long to update.
Summary: Louise had to go back to the place she never thought she'd have to see again; while Line finally gets a chance to set foot on her dream land. What is it that Japan has for them?
Summary for Chapter Sixteen: There's about a limit to everything, and this time around - we'll probably see some of the characters reaching their limits. haha! If you'v been hating Akihiko, this is probably one of your most awaited chapters. haha! And for once, Daiki and Line gets to have no Kei-chan with them - how is this possible? haha!
PS: This is chapter is pretty Louise[Ruu]-ccentric [a little more on Ruu's side of the story] but I assure you, there's a healthy dose of Daiki and Line here. ^_^v
xXxXx
Line stretched a little - another day, another day. It’s nice outside actually; the weather has been fairly perky lately. Tuesday; and it’s the last day of November. Somehow if you say it’s the “last” day, it kind of has this different hit, ne?
There was a knock on her door - odd, at six in the morning [which is the usual time she wakes up] there’s rarely anybody awake enough to go neighbouring. Line stood up to open her door to find Ruby, looking a little different. She can’t really put it to words, but somehow, she looked… dazed. “Good morning?” Line made sure her tone was delivering her confused thoughts at the moment.
Instead of a greeting back Ruby sighed and welcomed herself inside Line’s room. Then she sat gently on her bed and sighed again.
Frowning, “What’s with you?” Line asked, resting her hands on her hips. ‘Okay, so early in the morning, someone knocks on your door, your hair still messy, your bed still looking like a tornado passed by it, and then you welcome a person just taking deep, dreamy breaths. Oh.’ Yep. It’s like a light bulb moment and Line continued, “You’re looking dreamy…”
“Takaki Yuya just asked me out.”
Line raised her brows, “Pfft… That’s it…?”
“He asked me out, just last night.”
“Well, congratulations then!”
“Line-chan, you’re the most reactionless of all the people I told this about!” But when Ruby was being all anime-ish and flailing in her little world, when she looked at Line, Line’s holding her cellphone and was about to take her picture. “What are you doing!?”
“I gotta make sure you don’t forget this look on your face.” There was a click and Line showed her work, “You’re eyes are literally glowing, it’s amusing…”
“Oh my… uniquely Line...”
Smiling, Line told Ruby that she has sent the photo to Ruby’s phone and also to Yuya’s - Ruby looked absolutely mortified, but then again she let it slip. After a while, Ruby was on her way back to her room.
“You make sure you don’t let it look like you really like him… play it a little subtle. You get too carried away sometimes.”
Ruby giggled. “I’ll try, but I can’t promise.”
“Oh my…”
“Line, when you’re in love, you do things…. YOU JUST DO IT WITHOUT THINKING.”
“Uh-huh…”
“But don’t worry, the guy’s a total softie, and he’s really more on the gentle side than I thought!”
Not really sure what else to say, Line just nodded. As Ruby went on and on, Line laughed and playfully pushed her away, “You’ve said that dozens of times Ruby, hurry and go back to your room, don’t you have early morning class today?”
“Oh, right, right. Well then, thanks for letting me crash by your room!”
“Anytime!”
“See you around!”
Still smiling to herself while watching her friend skip back to her own room, Line turned to walk back inside her own room… “You just do things huh?” She smiled at the silliness of the thought.
---
Daiki was just done showering; Tuesdays are usually stress-free days; or less-stress-days because he and Line only has two subjects. It’s been pretty busy the past few weeks because of exams, but now that Christmas is on its way, so is Christmas vacation. The next set of exams are not till they get back from their winter break so pretty much, December is gonna be fine and dandy.
While towelling his hair dry, someone slipped a flyer just under the gap on his door. Daiki hung his towel over his shoulders, frowned and picked the flyer up. “…Street Smart Quiz Show…” he struggled a little pronouncing the English words, “International Version…” Now that made his eyebrows went from frown to raising-curiosity. And just before Daiki could react to himself, there was a hasty knock on his door, and there came Inoo, his pointy-sleeping-hat on, and the base part of his toothbrush is sticking out from his mouth. “Oh, ohayo!”
“Dhrid wyrou wrheead frtha flhlyher?”
Looking a little disturbed, “You know… you’re spitting toothpaste…”
Inoo ignored what he said and pointed at the flyer, “TRRHHHEEE FFUHHLLLRYYYYEEERR!!!”
“I know, I know, can’t you see? I’m holding it! Now spit that out, you’re gross sometimes Kei-chan.”
Smiling, his eyes all chinky, Inoo posed a peace sign and rushed back to his room; as for Daiki, well, he’s shaking his head as usual.
While waiting for Inoo’s expected return, Daiki puts on his choice of clothes for the day and he checked the website indicated on the flyer regarding the details of the contest.
Apparently, it’s an annual contest held by the Foreign Arts Department, and they hold it specifically before the Yearly Christmas Ball.
Well, here’s how it works. This quiz is especially for freshmen only. It’s pretty much a trivia quiz show, and yes, you’re supposed to answer trivia-like questions. Every year, it’s a different theme. This year, they’re doing International Version… and it’s also indicated on little fonts that it’ll include foreign actors and actresses, Hollywood, music, singers, movies, bands, etcetera. The specified field was what really caught Daiki dead-on. He’s a psycho for information like these. Now, you have to be in pairs to be able to join. The winner gets to receive tickets for the upcoming Live Event Concert featuring a surprise American Artist, and cash price of 10000 Yen.
Meiji sure isn’t just an ordinary school, ne?
“So, I’m sure you’re gearing up. You have to register!” Inoo burst open Daiki’s door, and he’s now wearing a white V-neck shirt, and black denim jeans with a significantly bold, red belt. Daiki was frowning at his laptop screen. “What?”
“You need to be in pairs to join…”
“I’ll join you!”
“Freshmen only, remember?”
“Oh…” It’s like the lights died down. “I forgot I’m not a freshie anymore…”
“I want the tickets for the concert… never mind the price money.”
“You’re rich. Of course you wouldn’t mind the money.” Inoo then slouched on Daiki’s bed, “Then again, you have the option of not joining the Quiz Show and just ask your mom to give you money to buy yourself some concert tickets.” Inoo shrugged afterwards realizing what he has to say next. “Of course, we all know you’re mom’s gonna kill you if you tell her you need money to buy concert ticket of some artist AND you don’t even know who it’ll be.”
“It’s a black ticket Kei-chan. And it’ll be held in Tokyo Dome. It must be some big-fish artist if it’s this extravagant.”
Inoo was nodding his head. “True that…” there was a pause, “Well, if you ignore the Quiz show and approach your mom… Hmmm… I say just give it a shot and let’s see if your mom’s gonna give you some money for the ticket.”
Then there goes Daiki’s sigh, “Not gonna happen. I’ll bet my penguin butt for that.” Now Daiki’s looking all sad - he’s been pretty vocal about wanting to go to a foreign artist’s concert recently. And judging by the glamour-y advertisement of this surprise artist, it sure looks like it’s not just a so-so personality.
Then like a strike in bowling, “Penguin…?” Inoo uttered and Daiki looked up to give him a hopeless glare, “That’s it!”
“What’s ‘it’?”
“We’re dumb… why didn’t I think of that earlier…”
“What?”
“ASK LINE-CHAN TO PARTICIPATE!”
Daiki’s eyes widened as well, and then, “It’s hard to admit it, but I’ve done it several times anyway… YOU’RE A GENIUS!”
--
Lunchtime
“EH?” Exasperated, Daiki can only exclaim this. “Why not?”
Line sighed and scratched her head, “Exchange students aren’t allowed to participate.”
Daiki flipped the flier, “But it’s not indicated anywhere here…”
“Read carefully…” Line ordered and pointed at some tiny notes - kind of like footnotes. “Exchange students are respectfully asked to reconsider before joining.” She uttered as if she’s some voice recorded telecom something - you know, like those on answering machines, navigators and such.
“Clearly, it didn’t say you CAN’T JOIN.” Inoo uttered, pouting. It’s a perfect activity for these two.
“We are not ORDERED to not participate, BUT, we are RESPECTFULLY ASKED TO RECONSIDER.” This time, Line has her hands on her hips. “Besides, I don’t know much about these trivia anyway. I being from Canada don’t automatically make me an enthusiast about this stuff.” She ended pointing at the flier.
“Dai-chan will answer all the questions for you. He just needs a partner. You can’t join unless you’re in a pair.” Inoo was the one to answer. With this, Line just sighed and took her seat. Oh yeah, they’re at this favourite café they always [and I do mean, ALWAYS] go to.
Stuffing herself with some rice balls, Line just looked at the two.
“Come on Line-chan.”
“No.”
Daiki sighed. “Well, chibikko has a point.”
Line stopped munching and stared at Daiki. If he’ll be calling her ‘chibikko’ from now on, it seems she’ll need time to get used to it.
“You’re the one who said you really wanna join - stop making me look like I’m the one forcing this quiz thing on the both of you.” Inoo suddenly grunted, “I’d like to point out how since we three became friends, I seem to be the odd one out all the time. Things getting pushed into my credit, always me doing the crucial things… and…” as Inoo looked at Daiki and Line, the two were busy talking about something and none of them are even listening to him. “Oi!”
Line looked up - she and Daiki were looking at a list Line quickly made of whom he can ask to join with him. “We’re trying to figure something out here Kei-chan, you’re too noisy.”
“A-re?”
“All your friends are exchange students too…” Daiki spoke, a little disappointed.
Soon, Line just patted Daiki’s shoulder. “I’m sure we’ll find someone. If you really wanna join this trivia thing, we’ll work something out.”
In a weird way, Line’s gesture and words were enough. Daiki, feeling a little fuzzy, looked at Line’s hand that’s on his shoulder and he posed a smile before nodding.
“What’s with them being cheesy while I’m all left out?” Inoo rolled his eyes. He sat back down and concentrated on his lunch - watching Line and Daiki just chatting on the other side, somehow, it makes him smile. “Oh what the hell… it’s about time.”
xXxXx
“Pssst! Umi-chan!” Louise heard Keito’s voice but wasn’t sure where the guy is. Its lunchtime and some people stayed in the classroom, while others wandered off. “Umi-chan, over here!”
Frowning, Louise looked at the backdoor and viola, Keito was there - he’s practically trying to hide himself. When he saw Louise looking at him, Keito motioned for her to come forth and Louise did what was told. When she stood near him, “Why are you all huddled there? You look like you’re hiding from someone.”
“Umika-chan asked me if I could help her get Chinen for a moment…”
“Oh…” Louise can’t help but smile. Surely she knows what’s going on between Chinen and Umika, but Chinen and Umika doesn’t. Oh wow, how situational irony works. “You’re being too suspicious Keito.”
“Am I?” Keito then straightened himself up. He cleared his throat, “Well, have you seen Chii?” and asked in a more normal tone.
Louise laughed and then shrugged. “He hasn’t visited like he always does.” Then Louise looked around out in the hallways, “I’ll go look for him too. Where does Kawashima-san want him to be?”
----
Giving Louise just about the same detailed direction Umika has told him, Keito went off searching for Chinen as well - him and Louise going opposite directions. It’s better if they look for him separately.
Louise decided to look on a different floor - Chinen often wanders around everywhere during lunch time; then Louise heard a familiar voice. Instinctively, Louise hid herself behind a wall and peeked to just check if her ears were hearing the voice right.
Standing just a few feet away from her, was Akihiko, Ayaka, and the last girl made Louise’s head throb a little - it was Umika.
“How is it Umika-chan, being that foreigner’s friend? Are you liking her company so far?” That was Akihiko’s irritating voice.
“Gomen Aki-chan, but I really have to get going…” Umika’s soft voice was barely audible.
“What’s that you got there?” Ayaka asked, pulling Umika and then, “Oh. You baked a cake.”
“A cake?” Akihiko sounded pretty surprised. “Oh I know… it’s Chinen-kun’s birthday today, isn’t it?”
“It is?” Louise heard herself whisper. Then quickly, she peeked again only to witness something that completely ticked her off.
Just as Louise turned to peek, Akihiko tapped the cake off of Umika’s hand and the box fell just in front of them. Umika quickly kneeled to check and the cake already looked like a mess. It fumbled over and the top part hit the ground first - so yeah. “Ooops…. Sorry.” Akihiko uttered - in the most unregretful way Louise could ever imagine.
Louise can hear Umika sobbing.
Then Akihiko bent down and whispered, “That’s what you get for siding with that freak.”
“I wonder who the real freak here is…” Umika, Ayaka and Akihiko all looked at where the voice came from and Umika’s eyes widened a bit.
“Oh… Umiko-chan…” Ayaka uttered - a little surprised.
“Don’t you Umiko-chan me…” Louise uttered, snapping at Ayaka. Soon, she made her way towards Umika, kneeled beside her and asked her if she was okay. Then Louise pulled Umika up to her feet and glared at Akihiko and Ayaka - who were now standing opposite to them. The ruined cake was just in between the four of them.
The silence was a little weird so Akihiko uttered, “What’s with that look?”
“What do you think you’re doing?” Louise uttered, keeping that stoic glare she has on. For a moment, Louise’s word sent little chills down Akihiko’s spine - it was the same exact words Yamada said when he caught them.
Stuttering a little, “Wh-what? A-are you accusing us of…”
“Hiding someone’s shoes… stealing costumes…” Louise almost spat her words out. “…breaking someone else’s tools…? And now this? How LOW…”
Ayaka and Akihiko stared at her, “What on earth are you talking about, are you crazy?!” with her voice cracking a little, Louise can sense there’s a little tension on Akihiko. Of course, who would’ve thought that Louise knows more than she should?
Unaware of her surroundings, Louise didn’t realize that there were a few students gathering around them now. Keito just arrived at the scene too. He frowned a little looking at the things unfolding - trying to understand what has happened, what’s happening, and what might happen next; of course, it wasn’t easy.
“Umiko-san… you’re accusations are just…” Akihiko’s words were cut off when Louise suddenly knelt down, opened the box, and took the ruined cake into her palm - just like a waiter holding her tray. Then Louise stood up, looked at Umika who was practically looking at her with a confused face.
“Kawashima-san…” Louise uttered, “We’ll just bake another one, okay?”
Not really sure what’s gonna happen next, Umika frowned and she can only stare when Louise slammed the cake right onto Akihiko’s face and Ayaka can only scream.
Keito has his mouth hanging open, “Umi-chan…” he uttered.
Louise wiggled her hands to the side to wipe off some cake and icing and the students around them started murmuring. Contented, Louise had a straight face; she looked at Akihiko, then at Ayaka, trying to hold her breath.
“Umiko-san!!!” The silence was broken when Millie-sensei entered the scene, looking horrified. “What is the meaning of this!?”
“A-ano…” Umika was about to say something when.
“Millie-sensei…” Akihiko started crying. “I don’t know what’s wrong with her… she… she just threw the cake right at me…” Sobbing, Ayaka comforted Akihiko who is pretty much doing a good job at making herself look like she’s the victim. “I was just… I was…”
Millie-sensei need not more words since she pretty much saw everything she needed to see so she just looked at Louise, “You’re going with me to the principal’s office Umiko-san.”
Quietly, Louise nodded and followed Millie-sensei while Umika and Keito can only watch her leave. Before she really walks off though, Louise patted Umika’s shoulder and smiled at her making sure Umika doesn’t go off blaming herself.
As Millie-sensei and Louise were gone, students started dispersing and Akihiko and Ayaka were still there - with some of their other friends helping Akihiko clean up herself. Umika picked up her box and stared at Akihiko - while Akihiko was smiling at her. “She got was she deserved.” Akihiko uttered and Umika, for the very first time, looked like she’s not scared at Akihiko at all.
Soon, “Umika-chan….” Keito uttered, “Are you okay?” then he gave Akihiko and Ayaka some warning looks.
“Keito-kun… we have to talk to the principal…” Umika uttered and without even looking back at Akihiko, Ayaka and their other friends, Keito and Umika were on their way running towards the office.
---
“I still couldn’t believe Umiko-san would do something like that.” Surely, rumours about the incident spread fast and Yuto, who just got back from a student leader meeting with Jingi, looked confused as he heard one of their classmates say this.
“Hey, what’s going on?” He asked and before one of his classmates fills him in with details, Yusuke-sensei was inside the room and he called for Yuto. “Sensei, what’s up?”
Yusuke-sensei looked troubled enough, “I was about to ask you the same question Nakajima-kun…”
Frowning, Yuto asked, “What about?”
“Well… it’s about Umiko-san… but…” Yusuke-sensei let his words hang a little, “Well… She doesn’t really wanna say anything too, but for now, I’d like to put you in charge of getting her things for her.”
“Eh?”
“She was immediately sent home. Umiko-san’s attitude was pretty hard to put up with… the principal was pretty upset too.”
“Sensei, I don’t know what you’re talking about…”
“In any case, seeing as you’re one of her closest friends, maybe you can drop off her things to her house after school?” Yuto nodded, but still with confusion on his face, “Thank you very much Nakajima-kun. And it would be nice if you could talk to her…”
“But sensei…” Yusuke-sensei was gone in an instant and Yuto’s still very much confused.
---
“All right boys, that’s all for this lunch’s meeting. Our practice resumes on January. Oh… And I’d like to say, ‘Happy birthday to our Chinen-kun!’” The boys’ soccer team had a pizza lunch which their coach has treated them to, and yeah, as mentioned, they won’t be worrying about soccer in about a month or so.
As Yamada and Chinen went back to their classrooms, quickly they were told about the Umiko-Akihiko incident. When Chinen heard that Umika was involved, he quickly ran off to look for her while Yamada asked some other students for details.
“Umi-chan…” Yamada uttered as he ran off, using the remainder of lunchtime to look for Louise - although he knows he’ll probably not see her in school now, though.
xXxXx
It’s the end of Daiki’s Computer Science remedial class [normally they don’t have computer science on Tuesdays and Thursdays] but their teacher held a remedial session for those wanting some extra notes. He’s packing up now and still, he’s worrying as to who can join with him to this trivia show contest. Then, “A-anou…” Daiki looked up to see Asuka, looking a bit embarrassed.
“Asuka-chan…”
“I’d like to apologize for the other day.” She bowed a little, hugging her folder near her chest. “I believe I created an awkward situation.”
Daiki squinted a little, remembering Inoo’s too straightforward words, and yes, that awkward moment Asuka has created. “You don’t have to worry about it.” He smiled, “Let’s say, it’s forgotten already.”
Asuka bowed once again and shyly said that she didn’t really know what she could say so she ran off. Clearly though, in Daiki’s opinion, Asuka herself didn’t really get to confess anything, so if you think about it, there really isn’t anything to feel too awkward about.
“We’ll then, I’ll see you around.” Daiki smiled and Asuka did so too, but when Daiki stood up, he left that important piece of paper he’s been staring at since this morning.
“Ah, Dai-chan, wait up. You left this…” Asuka called out to him, showing him that list he and Line did this morning - of those freshmen that they know. “Ah… You wanna join trivia game too?”
Daiki took the paper from Asuka and nodded simply, “Yeah…”
“Oh. I heard there’ll be multiple artists on that concert.”
“I knew it was a big-time event.”
Asuka nodded in agreement. “So, I assume you have a partner already…”
With that Daiki can’t help but sigh, then, “Not really… Apparently, Line-chan can’t join and I’m still looking for someone…”
“I’ll join you.”
Daiki raised his eyebrows a little.
“W-well… If that’s okay with you that is… and with Line-chan - I mean, Laririt-san…” Asuka’s eyes were looking elsewhere, probably trying to avoid Daiki’s.
---
“WHAT~!?” Inoo was sure he heard Line almost throwing her bag on her seat. They are of course in that café once again - these guys sure have a lot of free time. “Say that again?”
“I said, Asuka-chan offered to be my partner.” Daiki said flatly. “Really, I see no problem.”
“What is it with you wanting to be in this quiz show so badly anyway?” Line asked, a little exasperation in her voice. She slammed her café mocha cup on top of the table.
Inoo, who just got his cup of coffee sat down, crossed his legs and spoke matter-of-fact, “It’s the concert tickets.”
With Inoo’s answer, Line stared at Daiki who is now slumped on his chair and sipping his hot choco. “Concert tickets?”
“He’s a total freak when it comes to foreign artists, in case you’ve forgotten. That’s literally you’re common denominator when you guys met.” Inoo took another sip, “Still, you’re willing to pair up with Asuka-san just for those tickets huh? Dai-chan, you’re screwed up sometimes.”
Then Daiki shrugged, “I see no reason why I should say no. Asuka-chan’s just trying to help. Besides, if you think about the past incidents thoroughly, there really isn’t anything that should make us wanna distance ourselves from her, is there?”
“If you want those tickets that badly, I’ll buy you one.” Line uttered this and Inoo almost spilled his coffee.
Daiki silently replied, “Really guys, I’m serious.”
“Well, it’s clear enough that you and I are not on the same page Dai-chan.” Inoo uttered, wiping his mouth off.
“What same page? What are you talking about?” Confused, Daiki looked from Inoo to Line - who is now slumped on her own chair and chugging her café mocha “I’m just saying… Asuka-chan is our friend. It’s just that.”
“Urgh, must I spell it out for you?” Inoo’s tone was a little desperate, “How can you be so stupid when you don’t have to be? Didn’t the conversation I just had with Asuka the other day sent any loose messages at all into your head?”
Daiki puts his hands up, “Unless you tell me, I don’t see anything wrong with pairing up with Asuka-chan.”
To Daiki and Inoo’s surprised, Line suddenly stood up, pulled her bag over her shoulders and was on her way.
“Oi Line-chan, where are you going!?” Inoo shouted but Line was already a few feet away.
“Line-chan!” Daiki almost stood up but Inoo caught him. “What did I say?” With Daiki’s question, Inoo just shook his head as if asking his friend to just let it go.
---
LINE’S POV
I don’t really know why I walked away, I just did. Sometimes, I feel like I have the right to spontaneously do things without even thinking - not once, not twice.
Hearing ‘Asuka’ again after a few days was a little tingling - in a sort of, indescribable way? And to hear her from Dai-chan, for a moment, it feels like something’s stuck down my throat.
What did happen last time? Was there something that we SHOULD HAVE remembered at all? While I try to put my head in Dai-chan’s, I kind of don’t get it why Dai-chan doesn’t really know where this is all going.
Last time, was supposedly, her confession to Dai-chan. Or so Kei-chan and I think - me and Kei-chan, unconsciously, we were reading the atmosphere the same way. It’s simple. Asuka likes Dai-chan. She wanted to make sure I’m not after Dai-chan, so she set me up so that I can confess to Kei-chan. apparently, it kind of backfired and things went a little intense, so what left for her to do was to walk-away.
I laugh at the thought of me liking Kei-chan though. I mean, what would give her such idea?
Then again…
I stopped on my tracks. I’m almost at the entrance to our dormitory.
I don’t like Kei-chan in a way Asuka puts it.
I nodded, thinking.
What about Dai-chan?
When I heard myself utter his name, my feet were suddenly moving and I was running up to my room. Things were fast - I was moving too fast I didn’t even get to notice people as I go by. And as I heard my door shut, I can only close my eyes.
“So… what about Dai-chan?” I said this out loud. For the first time in my life, I was unsure of what to think - my mind was like a blank canvas.
My back leaning against my door, I went to my desk, opened my laptop, and when the desktop background showed up, I can only stare in disbelief. All this time, I was using that random picture Daiki and I had when we were out in the rain. When did I change this?
Like a sudden tone, Ruby’s words rang into my head. “YOU JUST DO IT WITHOUT THINKING…”
Even before my head can get to anywhere, I poked myself and pinched my cheek. “Nah…” I rolled my eyes and jumped onto bed. Clearly there’s no way my thoughts are going THAT direction.
And as I stared at my desktop though, I smiled. ‘What is it about this penguin that makes me wanna just look at him?’ Hearing myself, I shut my eyes and rolled here and there. “There’s no way I’m thinking like this!!!!”
It was irritating I tell you. But, I’ve got to admit. It makes me smile.
END OF LINE’S POV
---
Daiki sent about ten mails to Line since she left, but there’s not one reply at all. “I kind of thought Line didn’t really like Asuka-chan that much, but I didn’t think she’d be this upset.”
“You’re clearly not seeing the bigger picture.” Inoo uttered. They’re inside Inoo’s room right now, and Daiki’s propped up on his study chair.
“Will you stop with the mysterious sentences already and just tell things straight?”
Inoo closed his book, “It’s no use if answers are given to you. You have to find them for yourself.” With that Inoo laid on his bed, “Hint though… think carefully if you really wanna join that quiz thing with Asuka-san. Last time you paired up with her, did you really enjoy it?”
With Inoo’s words and tone, Daiki can only throw his bag to Inoo. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It was a decent question, darn it!” Inoo hit Daiki back with his bag. “You didn’t look an inch bit happy with that funny bones game.”
“Well, because you get to pair up with Line-chan” this came more like a whisper from Daiki, but Inoo heard him and it created a little devilish smile on Inoo’s face.
With this Inoo propped himself up, “We’re talking about Asuka here, don’t change the subject.”
“Whatever…”
“You don’t happen to like Asuka-san now, don’t you?”
“NO! OF COURSE NOT!!!”
“And Line-chan?”
“Huh?” Daiki looked a bit red now, and then he turned the chair so that he’s not facing Inoo, “What about Line-chan?”
Laughing a little to himself, “You’re hopeless…”
xXxXx
It’s well after four, and classes just ended. Yuto had Louise’s things packed since lunchtime, and now he’s readying himself to get going.
As he was about to leave, Yuto noticed an earphone dangling a little from that space just under Louise’s desk and when he went to look, there’s a black iPod nano in there with the earphones.
Assuming well that it’s Louise’s, Yuto took the iPod and instinctively checked if it was on, and what showed on the screen made his eyebrows furrow. It was a still, apparently, the video was paused and Yuto can only utter one name: “Akihiko-san?”
---
Louise got home just about after one, and what she did first was run straight to her room. She fell asleep not really sure what she was thinking and now, she’s glad that she did because her dad kept calling her - perhaps the school phoned him right after she was sent home. As Louise looked at her clock, she thought automatically that everyone’s one their way home - dismissal time.
When she hit her voice messages, three were from her dad. She clicked on the latest one and for a moment, what she heard surprised her: “I’ll try to be home early, and maybe you can tell me what got into that hot-head of yours. Don’t worry. I stabbed someone with a pencil when I was in Junior High.” He was laughing a little, and then, “Oh, and no matter what, I’m not gonna go into drama mode, so I’m telling you right now that you don’t have to think about me going all TV-star.” Louise thought it was over when, “Oh. And we’ll talk it over some ice cream, ne?”
In a way, it was enough. Sure, her dad may sound a little like he’s too careful, but Louise was grateful. She was expecting him to sound a little disappointed, a little frustrated - but no, he sounded the exact opposite. Maybe all this time, this was the kind of dad she was keeping herself from - and that minute, Louise thought she’s being stupid for keeping such a dad away from her.
Suoh was up and dandy when he saw Louise walking around the house and Louise sat there with him for a good while and talked to her dog. “I messed it up buddy.” She said, rubbing the dog’s ears. “I was planning an all-out dramatic revelation, and I screwed up in the last minute.”
Suoh whined a little - it’s really funny how beagles get to give out such human expressions, or maybe that depends on the person looking.
“I gathered all my evidence: my outdoor shoes, that picture of the costume Keito and I tried hard to make - then my art tools. All hard evidence… then there’s that video of hers.” She shook her head, “I was gonna ask someone from the AVI (Audio Visual Interface) Department to set it up for me for the next classroom assembly; so that everyone in my class, including my sensei would see what kind of witch she’s being. Oh! And those mean letters she gives Umika, and those that she leaves in my locker.” Rubbing Suoh, the dog eventually sat on her lap. Then Louise sighed, “So much for planning everything and keeping it all a secret - now it backfired and I’m suspended.” She laughed a little. “Usually, the villains are the ones who get the punishment, right?” She paused a little, “Well, I guess it doesn’t really go like that all the time.”
As if on cue, Suoh walked away from her and started chasing his tail.
“Sorry I rarely get to play with you.”
Suoh just barked and then ran towards her room, then back to Louise. He was wagging his tail.
“Oh whatever. It’s just suspension. And besides, I liked how the cake covered her face, you should’ve seen it!” Suoh barked at this once again and Louise just grabbed her dog and embraced him. “I guess you’re with me for the rest of the week buddy - hopefully I’ll get to teach you tricks while I’m not VA-CAY-TION!”
After a few minutes, Louise just felt the need to wind up and she took her sketchbook with her, along with a normal lead pencil, and made her way to that park just outside their condominium. She took her usual bench, still in her uniform - yeah, skirt and so - but Louise’s didn’t mind. She took off her shoes, pulled her legs closer and sketched the rushing river just in front of her.
The sound of the rushing water made her feel a little bit better - sure suspension is never nice, then again, she thought that at least she gets to make Akihiko feel and look a little miserable.
Not really sure how, but suddenly, Louise was doodling a cartoon version of Akihiko with the cake sacked on her face. When she was done, Louise can only giggle at her creation. “I should’ve let it slide down the front of her shirt…” She uttered, feeling the meanness of her own thoughts.
“Clearly, what you did was classic.”
Surprised, Louise turned around and saw someone she wasn’t really expecting. “Yama-chan?”
“You could’ve gotten away with it, if only Millie-sensei wasn’t around checking randomly on the corridors. You just don’t have that much luck yet I guess.”
Frowning, Louise can only look at him.
“Maa~ your first encounter with Millie-sensei wasn’t full of luck either anyway.”
“What are you doing here?” Finally, Louise gets to speak.
Yamada walked a little and soon, he sat beside her. “This park doesn’t belong to you, you know.”
This made Louise chuckle a little.
“Somehow, I wanna ask you what happened, but I’ve got a feeling you won’t tell me.”
Smiling, Louise just shook her head and looked at the river.
“I knew it. Well, I’m not Yuto, or Keito - you probably wouldn’t tell Chii too.”
Finding his talking a little weird, Louise can only laugh a little, “What do you want to know?”
Yamada looked at her, and somehow, his look made Louise look back. “I told you, you can always tell me anything.”
“I’m not really keen into letting people into everything I do.”
Yamada nodded, “I’m not surprised.”
“And besides, you shouldn’t be part of it.” With this, Yamada noted how Louise started swaying her feet back and forth.
“I saw them…” After a while, this is what Yamada said; then he looked at Louise who was staring at him already - shock on her face.
Shocked, she wanted to clarify what he’s talking about. “I’m sorry?”
“That day I gave you back your sketchbook…” he paused, “I didn’t really find it in my bag.” Louise was literally just staring at him, “I saw them taking it from your locker.”
Blinking a little, Louise can only stare. Soon, she took a deep breath and looked back at the river.
“How can put this… I guess I should’ve told the teachers…” he looked at the river too, “…that would’ve been the best thing to do.” He looked back at Louise, “…and now I wonder why I didn’t.”
Louise was quiet - it’s as if she wasn’t there.
“I would assume, the sketchbook wasn’t the first incident, was it?”
“I don’t really have to tell you everything.”
“But you will.” Yamada’s confident remark made Louise look at him confusingly.
“What makes you think I will?”
“’Cause you can’t tell it to anybody else.”
“So, I’ll tell it to you?”
“I assume…”
Louise laughed at the thought, “As I’ve thought - you’re too confident.”
“That’s rich, coming from someone like you.”
Louise didn’t really say anything after that, but having Yamada beside her right now, laughing away at his misplaced confidence, somehow, it made her feel at ease.
Soon, Yamada took her sketchbook and Louise just watched him flipped over the pages. He stopped at the recent one with Akihiko’s face covered with the cake. “Did it look like this?”
“Somehow…” she pointed at Akihiko’s nose, “But her nose is much bigger here - I emphasized it a little.”
“You’re really a mean person on the inside, huh?”
She shrugged. Then Yamada flipped over some pages and just when he was about to turn on a certain page, Louise grabbed the sketchbook from him. “Oh! That’s about it. You can’t look past this one.”
“Really?”
She nodded. “On to other matters, how are things between you and Mariya-san?”
With that, Yamada took a deep, heavy breath - as if he’s suddenly tired. “Well, I’ve been trying hard not to think about that, but thank you very much for bringing it back up.”
“I’m telling you, I think she’s nice.”
“I think so too.”
“Then why not just give it another shot with her?”
Yamada looked at Louise and Louise can only look at him with a questioning face. “I’m not really sure it’ll work the second time around if the first time didn’t.”
“You’ve got to give it at least some try.” She pouted, “Besides, you just said you think she’s nice. The odds are greater this time around.”
“I don’t think so…”
“Why not?”
Yamada then looked at his feet - and at his peripheral view, he can see Louise’s feet swinging back and forth. “I dunno… other factors.”
“Like?”
“Like maybe she likes someone else.”
“Or YOU like someone else, ne?” Louise was the one to finish his sentence and Yamada can only look at her. “Hey! This liking someone thing… That was my idea!”
He shook his head in disbelief, “Unlikely.” He uttered then he felt Louise just shove him to the side.
“Stop acting cool, it irritates me.”
“I’m not!” And the two just laughed a little at the silly things they suddenly come up with to talk about.
Soon enough after some time, Louise decided to speak with a different topic in mind, “Oh right… everybody’s done with thinking we’re dating, right?”
Yamada laughed, “Well, if they see us right now, they’d think we’re lying and then they’ll think we’re still going out.”
“Be serious here! I was seriously asking you a serious question!”
“Calm down; it’s not as if anybody can see us - and yes, I think I told them we’re not dating.”
“YOU THINK!?” Louise started punching Yamada’s arms but it was pretty futile really - this tiny guy having some pretty good built-up muscles, it’s a little unbelievable really.
xXxXx
Back in Winnipeg, it’s around six in the morning and it’s boring to have a lecture class this early. Why must she take this class alone anyway? Reen sighed; this class would be much more bearable if Line was here with her taking this Architecture course in Winnipeg. But then again, no one could stop that girl from doing what she wants - and from going where she wants to go.
Soon, her phone vibrated, she answered right away and the person on the other Line just kep yapping and yapping. Reen kept her tone hushed - she’s sitting at the far back of her classroom. “Eh?”
“Yep. I’m telling you; HE will be in Japan a few days from now.”
“Mike I swear, if you’re only making this all up, I’m gonna kill you!”
“I’m not making it up!”
“Should we tell Line then?”
“You don’t think they’ll end up bumping into each other now, don’t you?”
“I dunno! We live in a very small world!”
“Okay, calm down Reen, we’ll think of something.”
“How come you only told me this now?”
“I didn’t know, okay! It’s freakin six in the morning and I still haven’t gotten any sleep. Stupid essay… anyway, I was about to turn off my laptop when something popped up from his facebook and it just made my jaw drop.” There was a little clicking at the other end of the phone, “Apparently, his family decided to go on a Christmas vacation. Look at his facebook account.”
“I’m not friends with that guy!”
“He kept posting stuff like… erm… packing up for the trip. Then, um… Can’t wait to get out of Winnipeg and leave the snow. I’m telling you, even his friends were commenting on how lucky he is to get to go to Japan.”
“Well, let’s just hope he doesn’t realize that Line’s there too.”
“Reen…” there was a pause, “I think he knows…”
“What?”
There was message sent to Reen’s facebook and it was from Mike. What the message made Reen wanna panic a little; apparently, it was copied off from someone’s facebook wall:
Kenneth’s STATUS stream
Kenneth Dickson: Anybody here knows anyone who’s in Japan right now?
Kenneth Dickson: It’d be awesome if I can meet some acquaintance there.
K. Harino: ‘SHE’ is there.
Kenneth Dickson: Oh. Yeah!
K. Harino: Meet up with her and that boyfriend of hers.
Kenneth Dickson: Maybe I will. That Yamada Ryosuke guy.
Kenneth Dickson: I’ll want to meet that hacker guy who messed up my PC.
K. Harino: You go Ken!
K. Harino: You think you’ll see ‘her’ there?
Kenneth Dickson: I hope not; but if I do so, then be it.
K. Harino: ;P
“Boyfriend?” Reen asked. “What boyfriend?”
“I think that’s the fake boyfriend Line was asking us about in her messages. And I think he’s pretty pissed off PLUS - I think he thinks Line’s making up this boyfriend guy.”
“Well, he doesn’t seem too happy about the boyfriend - whoever he is. But it’s still awful too he gets to meet Line.”
“Who knows what that guy will do? He’ll probably spam Line’s facebook again!”
“Mike, anong gagawin naten!? [Mike, what are we gonna do!?]” Reen couldn’t help it, her tagalog tongue just got the best out of her, and her professor was actually staring at her; she’s in the middle of her last subject for the day right now and she’s been talking with Mike for a few minutes. “Sorry sir…” she bowed apologetically then.
“Subukan nateng tawagan si Line…[We’ll try calling Line]” there was a pause, and Mike sighed, “Let’s just hope Line gets in touch with us this time.”
---
“ACHOO!!!” Line sniffed - it’s eight in the evening, most of them are inside the dorm now, and they’re in the middle of their dinner; her friends has been nonstop on asking Ruby about Yuya while Ruby tried her best to not say anything too much - hey, it’s not really a good thing to talk about dates a lot. Rubbing her nose a little, “Guys, leave Ruby alone. Go get yourselves your own boyfriends, and stop asking her about hers.”
“I bet you already have one yourself, don’t you Line-chan?” Alex asked, nudging.
Line was in the middle of taking a good sip from her mushroom soup, “Leave me alone!”
“Oh right! How are things with Arioka-kun?” Mei was the one to ask. “I’ll go out with him, of you don’t.”
“They’re not seats that work on a first come first serve basis - stop talking like boys are some items!” Line was a little furious.
“Then you don’t mind if I do ask him out.”
While sipping, Line stopped half-way, “You wouldn’t. You have a boyfriend back in China don’t you?”
“What if I broke up with him already? I’ll go ask Arioka-kun to go the Christmas Party dance with me.”
“Shut up Mei!” Ruby was the one to say this, “We all know you don’t really like Arioka-kun!”
Line was practically glaring at Mei. ‘So, what’s with all that talk!?’
“Line, she’s just trying to make you angry.”
‘And weird enough, I am.’ Line heard herself say this, but there really isn’t much she should say - so she kept eating.
As the girls went back to their room, Mei was apologizing about teasing Line and it ended up pretty okay. She was pretty persistent though about having Line asks Daiki on the Christmas Party Dance which will be held just before Christmas Eve.
---
Inoo was browsing through his facebook when sure enough he saw something that almost made him gag. It took about five seconds before he opened his door to tell Daiki about what he just saw, and the moment his door swung open, Daiki’s door swung open too and both of them said this exact same thing at the same time: “KENNETH’S COMING TO JAPAN!”
The boys were staring at each other as if it’s some weird news, but after a few seconds, and receiving some weird faces from their other dorm mates passing by, Inoo rushed to Daiki’s room and quickly sat in front of his computer.
“Wow, this is interesting.” Inoo uttered - looking really interested. This guy sure knows what might spice up some boring times.
“I don’t see why we should panic though. He’s not particularly in Tokyo.”
“And he didn’t really say where he’ll be.”
“Well, given that he’s too dumb to even know where he’ll be…” Inoo uttered and scrolled to more of Kenneth’s recent entries. “This is just rich…”
“Whatever it is, we just have to make sure he doesn’t meet Line.”
“Yeah, or else, Line-chan will kill us.”
xXxXx
Chapter Sixteen - Part 2
Author: aemrith
Pairing: Yamada Ryosuke/OC, Arioka Daiki/OC, Nakajima Yuto/OC
Rating: PG
Genre: Romance, Friendship, Family
Warnings: May take long to update.
Summary: Louise had to go back to the place she never thought she'd have to see again; while Line finally gets a chance to set foot on her dream land. What is it that Japan has for them?
Summary for Chapter Sixteen: There's about a limit to everything, and this time around - we'll probably see some of the characters reaching their limits. haha! If you'v been hating Akihiko, this is probably one of your most awaited chapters. haha! And for once, Daiki and Line gets to have no Kei-chan with them - how is this possible? haha!
PS: This is chapter is pretty Louise[Ruu]-ccentric [a little more on Ruu's side of the story] but I assure you, there's a healthy dose of Daiki and Line here. ^_^v
xXxXx
Line stretched a little - another day, another day. It’s nice outside actually; the weather has been fairly perky lately. Tuesday; and it’s the last day of November. Somehow if you say it’s the “last” day, it kind of has this different hit, ne?
There was a knock on her door - odd, at six in the morning [which is the usual time she wakes up] there’s rarely anybody awake enough to go neighbouring. Line stood up to open her door to find Ruby, looking a little different. She can’t really put it to words, but somehow, she looked… dazed. “Good morning?” Line made sure her tone was delivering her confused thoughts at the moment.
Instead of a greeting back Ruby sighed and welcomed herself inside Line’s room. Then she sat gently on her bed and sighed again.
Frowning, “What’s with you?” Line asked, resting her hands on her hips. ‘Okay, so early in the morning, someone knocks on your door, your hair still messy, your bed still looking like a tornado passed by it, and then you welcome a person just taking deep, dreamy breaths. Oh.’ Yep. It’s like a light bulb moment and Line continued, “You’re looking dreamy…”
“Takaki Yuya just asked me out.”
Line raised her brows, “Pfft… That’s it…?”
“He asked me out, just last night.”
“Well, congratulations then!”
“Line-chan, you’re the most reactionless of all the people I told this about!” But when Ruby was being all anime-ish and flailing in her little world, when she looked at Line, Line’s holding her cellphone and was about to take her picture. “What are you doing!?”
“I gotta make sure you don’t forget this look on your face.” There was a click and Line showed her work, “You’re eyes are literally glowing, it’s amusing…”
“Oh my… uniquely Line...”
Smiling, Line told Ruby that she has sent the photo to Ruby’s phone and also to Yuya’s - Ruby looked absolutely mortified, but then again she let it slip. After a while, Ruby was on her way back to her room.
“You make sure you don’t let it look like you really like him… play it a little subtle. You get too carried away sometimes.”
Ruby giggled. “I’ll try, but I can’t promise.”
“Oh my…”
“Line, when you’re in love, you do things…. YOU JUST DO IT WITHOUT THINKING.”
“Uh-huh…”
“But don’t worry, the guy’s a total softie, and he’s really more on the gentle side than I thought!”
Not really sure what else to say, Line just nodded. As Ruby went on and on, Line laughed and playfully pushed her away, “You’ve said that dozens of times Ruby, hurry and go back to your room, don’t you have early morning class today?”
“Oh, right, right. Well then, thanks for letting me crash by your room!”
“Anytime!”
“See you around!”
Still smiling to herself while watching her friend skip back to her own room, Line turned to walk back inside her own room… “You just do things huh?” She smiled at the silliness of the thought.
---
Daiki was just done showering; Tuesdays are usually stress-free days; or less-stress-days because he and Line only has two subjects. It’s been pretty busy the past few weeks because of exams, but now that Christmas is on its way, so is Christmas vacation. The next set of exams are not till they get back from their winter break so pretty much, December is gonna be fine and dandy.
While towelling his hair dry, someone slipped a flyer just under the gap on his door. Daiki hung his towel over his shoulders, frowned and picked the flyer up. “…Street Smart Quiz Show…” he struggled a little pronouncing the English words, “International Version…” Now that made his eyebrows went from frown to raising-curiosity. And just before Daiki could react to himself, there was a hasty knock on his door, and there came Inoo, his pointy-sleeping-hat on, and the base part of his toothbrush is sticking out from his mouth. “Oh, ohayo!”
“Dhrid wyrou wrheead frtha flhlyher?”
Looking a little disturbed, “You know… you’re spitting toothpaste…”
Inoo ignored what he said and pointed at the flyer, “TRRHHHEEE FFUHHLLLRYYYYEEERR!!!”
“I know, I know, can’t you see? I’m holding it! Now spit that out, you’re gross sometimes Kei-chan.”
Smiling, his eyes all chinky, Inoo posed a peace sign and rushed back to his room; as for Daiki, well, he’s shaking his head as usual.
While waiting for Inoo’s expected return, Daiki puts on his choice of clothes for the day and he checked the website indicated on the flyer regarding the details of the contest.
Apparently, it’s an annual contest held by the Foreign Arts Department, and they hold it specifically before the Yearly Christmas Ball.
Well, here’s how it works. This quiz is especially for freshmen only. It’s pretty much a trivia quiz show, and yes, you’re supposed to answer trivia-like questions. Every year, it’s a different theme. This year, they’re doing International Version… and it’s also indicated on little fonts that it’ll include foreign actors and actresses, Hollywood, music, singers, movies, bands, etcetera. The specified field was what really caught Daiki dead-on. He’s a psycho for information like these. Now, you have to be in pairs to be able to join. The winner gets to receive tickets for the upcoming Live Event Concert featuring a surprise American Artist, and cash price of 10000 Yen.
Meiji sure isn’t just an ordinary school, ne?
“So, I’m sure you’re gearing up. You have to register!” Inoo burst open Daiki’s door, and he’s now wearing a white V-neck shirt, and black denim jeans with a significantly bold, red belt. Daiki was frowning at his laptop screen. “What?”
“You need to be in pairs to join…”
“I’ll join you!”
“Freshmen only, remember?”
“Oh…” It’s like the lights died down. “I forgot I’m not a freshie anymore…”
“I want the tickets for the concert… never mind the price money.”
“You’re rich. Of course you wouldn’t mind the money.” Inoo then slouched on Daiki’s bed, “Then again, you have the option of not joining the Quiz Show and just ask your mom to give you money to buy yourself some concert tickets.” Inoo shrugged afterwards realizing what he has to say next. “Of course, we all know you’re mom’s gonna kill you if you tell her you need money to buy concert ticket of some artist AND you don’t even know who it’ll be.”
“It’s a black ticket Kei-chan. And it’ll be held in Tokyo Dome. It must be some big-fish artist if it’s this extravagant.”
Inoo was nodding his head. “True that…” there was a pause, “Well, if you ignore the Quiz show and approach your mom… Hmmm… I say just give it a shot and let’s see if your mom’s gonna give you some money for the ticket.”
Then there goes Daiki’s sigh, “Not gonna happen. I’ll bet my penguin butt for that.” Now Daiki’s looking all sad - he’s been pretty vocal about wanting to go to a foreign artist’s concert recently. And judging by the glamour-y advertisement of this surprise artist, it sure looks like it’s not just a so-so personality.
Then like a strike in bowling, “Penguin…?” Inoo uttered and Daiki looked up to give him a hopeless glare, “That’s it!”
“What’s ‘it’?”
“We’re dumb… why didn’t I think of that earlier…”
“What?”
“ASK LINE-CHAN TO PARTICIPATE!”
Daiki’s eyes widened as well, and then, “It’s hard to admit it, but I’ve done it several times anyway… YOU’RE A GENIUS!”
--
Lunchtime
“EH?” Exasperated, Daiki can only exclaim this. “Why not?”
Line sighed and scratched her head, “Exchange students aren’t allowed to participate.”
Daiki flipped the flier, “But it’s not indicated anywhere here…”
“Read carefully…” Line ordered and pointed at some tiny notes - kind of like footnotes. “Exchange students are respectfully asked to reconsider before joining.” She uttered as if she’s some voice recorded telecom something - you know, like those on answering machines, navigators and such.
“Clearly, it didn’t say you CAN’T JOIN.” Inoo uttered, pouting. It’s a perfect activity for these two.
“We are not ORDERED to not participate, BUT, we are RESPECTFULLY ASKED TO RECONSIDER.” This time, Line has her hands on her hips. “Besides, I don’t know much about these trivia anyway. I being from Canada don’t automatically make me an enthusiast about this stuff.” She ended pointing at the flier.
“Dai-chan will answer all the questions for you. He just needs a partner. You can’t join unless you’re in a pair.” Inoo was the one to answer. With this, Line just sighed and took her seat. Oh yeah, they’re at this favourite café they always [and I do mean, ALWAYS] go to.
Stuffing herself with some rice balls, Line just looked at the two.
“Come on Line-chan.”
“No.”
Daiki sighed. “Well, chibikko has a point.”
Line stopped munching and stared at Daiki. If he’ll be calling her ‘chibikko’ from now on, it seems she’ll need time to get used to it.
“You’re the one who said you really wanna join - stop making me look like I’m the one forcing this quiz thing on the both of you.” Inoo suddenly grunted, “I’d like to point out how since we three became friends, I seem to be the odd one out all the time. Things getting pushed into my credit, always me doing the crucial things… and…” as Inoo looked at Daiki and Line, the two were busy talking about something and none of them are even listening to him. “Oi!”
Line looked up - she and Daiki were looking at a list Line quickly made of whom he can ask to join with him. “We’re trying to figure something out here Kei-chan, you’re too noisy.”
“A-re?”
“All your friends are exchange students too…” Daiki spoke, a little disappointed.
Soon, Line just patted Daiki’s shoulder. “I’m sure we’ll find someone. If you really wanna join this trivia thing, we’ll work something out.”
In a weird way, Line’s gesture and words were enough. Daiki, feeling a little fuzzy, looked at Line’s hand that’s on his shoulder and he posed a smile before nodding.
“What’s with them being cheesy while I’m all left out?” Inoo rolled his eyes. He sat back down and concentrated on his lunch - watching Line and Daiki just chatting on the other side, somehow, it makes him smile. “Oh what the hell… it’s about time.”
xXxXx
“Pssst! Umi-chan!” Louise heard Keito’s voice but wasn’t sure where the guy is. Its lunchtime and some people stayed in the classroom, while others wandered off. “Umi-chan, over here!”
Frowning, Louise looked at the backdoor and viola, Keito was there - he’s practically trying to hide himself. When he saw Louise looking at him, Keito motioned for her to come forth and Louise did what was told. When she stood near him, “Why are you all huddled there? You look like you’re hiding from someone.”
“Umika-chan asked me if I could help her get Chinen for a moment…”
“Oh…” Louise can’t help but smile. Surely she knows what’s going on between Chinen and Umika, but Chinen and Umika doesn’t. Oh wow, how situational irony works. “You’re being too suspicious Keito.”
“Am I?” Keito then straightened himself up. He cleared his throat, “Well, have you seen Chii?” and asked in a more normal tone.
Louise laughed and then shrugged. “He hasn’t visited like he always does.” Then Louise looked around out in the hallways, “I’ll go look for him too. Where does Kawashima-san want him to be?”
----
Giving Louise just about the same detailed direction Umika has told him, Keito went off searching for Chinen as well - him and Louise going opposite directions. It’s better if they look for him separately.
Louise decided to look on a different floor - Chinen often wanders around everywhere during lunch time; then Louise heard a familiar voice. Instinctively, Louise hid herself behind a wall and peeked to just check if her ears were hearing the voice right.
Standing just a few feet away from her, was Akihiko, Ayaka, and the last girl made Louise’s head throb a little - it was Umika.
“How is it Umika-chan, being that foreigner’s friend? Are you liking her company so far?” That was Akihiko’s irritating voice.
“Gomen Aki-chan, but I really have to get going…” Umika’s soft voice was barely audible.
“What’s that you got there?” Ayaka asked, pulling Umika and then, “Oh. You baked a cake.”
“A cake?” Akihiko sounded pretty surprised. “Oh I know… it’s Chinen-kun’s birthday today, isn’t it?”
“It is?” Louise heard herself whisper. Then quickly, she peeked again only to witness something that completely ticked her off.
Just as Louise turned to peek, Akihiko tapped the cake off of Umika’s hand and the box fell just in front of them. Umika quickly kneeled to check and the cake already looked like a mess. It fumbled over and the top part hit the ground first - so yeah. “Ooops…. Sorry.” Akihiko uttered - in the most unregretful way Louise could ever imagine.
Louise can hear Umika sobbing.
Then Akihiko bent down and whispered, “That’s what you get for siding with that freak.”
“I wonder who the real freak here is…” Umika, Ayaka and Akihiko all looked at where the voice came from and Umika’s eyes widened a bit.
“Oh… Umiko-chan…” Ayaka uttered - a little surprised.
“Don’t you Umiko-chan me…” Louise uttered, snapping at Ayaka. Soon, she made her way towards Umika, kneeled beside her and asked her if she was okay. Then Louise pulled Umika up to her feet and glared at Akihiko and Ayaka - who were now standing opposite to them. The ruined cake was just in between the four of them.
The silence was a little weird so Akihiko uttered, “What’s with that look?”
“What do you think you’re doing?” Louise uttered, keeping that stoic glare she has on. For a moment, Louise’s word sent little chills down Akihiko’s spine - it was the same exact words Yamada said when he caught them.
Stuttering a little, “Wh-what? A-are you accusing us of…”
“Hiding someone’s shoes… stealing costumes…” Louise almost spat her words out. “…breaking someone else’s tools…? And now this? How LOW…”
Ayaka and Akihiko stared at her, “What on earth are you talking about, are you crazy?!” with her voice cracking a little, Louise can sense there’s a little tension on Akihiko. Of course, who would’ve thought that Louise knows more than she should?
Unaware of her surroundings, Louise didn’t realize that there were a few students gathering around them now. Keito just arrived at the scene too. He frowned a little looking at the things unfolding - trying to understand what has happened, what’s happening, and what might happen next; of course, it wasn’t easy.
“Umiko-san… you’re accusations are just…” Akihiko’s words were cut off when Louise suddenly knelt down, opened the box, and took the ruined cake into her palm - just like a waiter holding her tray. Then Louise stood up, looked at Umika who was practically looking at her with a confused face.
“Kawashima-san…” Louise uttered, “We’ll just bake another one, okay?”
Not really sure what’s gonna happen next, Umika frowned and she can only stare when Louise slammed the cake right onto Akihiko’s face and Ayaka can only scream.
Keito has his mouth hanging open, “Umi-chan…” he uttered.
Louise wiggled her hands to the side to wipe off some cake and icing and the students around them started murmuring. Contented, Louise had a straight face; she looked at Akihiko, then at Ayaka, trying to hold her breath.
“Umiko-san!!!” The silence was broken when Millie-sensei entered the scene, looking horrified. “What is the meaning of this!?”
“A-ano…” Umika was about to say something when.
“Millie-sensei…” Akihiko started crying. “I don’t know what’s wrong with her… she… she just threw the cake right at me…” Sobbing, Ayaka comforted Akihiko who is pretty much doing a good job at making herself look like she’s the victim. “I was just… I was…”
Millie-sensei need not more words since she pretty much saw everything she needed to see so she just looked at Louise, “You’re going with me to the principal’s office Umiko-san.”
Quietly, Louise nodded and followed Millie-sensei while Umika and Keito can only watch her leave. Before she really walks off though, Louise patted Umika’s shoulder and smiled at her making sure Umika doesn’t go off blaming herself.
As Millie-sensei and Louise were gone, students started dispersing and Akihiko and Ayaka were still there - with some of their other friends helping Akihiko clean up herself. Umika picked up her box and stared at Akihiko - while Akihiko was smiling at her. “She got was she deserved.” Akihiko uttered and Umika, for the very first time, looked like she’s not scared at Akihiko at all.
Soon, “Umika-chan….” Keito uttered, “Are you okay?” then he gave Akihiko and Ayaka some warning looks.
“Keito-kun… we have to talk to the principal…” Umika uttered and without even looking back at Akihiko, Ayaka and their other friends, Keito and Umika were on their way running towards the office.
---
“I still couldn’t believe Umiko-san would do something like that.” Surely, rumours about the incident spread fast and Yuto, who just got back from a student leader meeting with Jingi, looked confused as he heard one of their classmates say this.
“Hey, what’s going on?” He asked and before one of his classmates fills him in with details, Yusuke-sensei was inside the room and he called for Yuto. “Sensei, what’s up?”
Yusuke-sensei looked troubled enough, “I was about to ask you the same question Nakajima-kun…”
Frowning, Yuto asked, “What about?”
“Well… it’s about Umiko-san… but…” Yusuke-sensei let his words hang a little, “Well… She doesn’t really wanna say anything too, but for now, I’d like to put you in charge of getting her things for her.”
“Eh?”
“She was immediately sent home. Umiko-san’s attitude was pretty hard to put up with… the principal was pretty upset too.”
“Sensei, I don’t know what you’re talking about…”
“In any case, seeing as you’re one of her closest friends, maybe you can drop off her things to her house after school?” Yuto nodded, but still with confusion on his face, “Thank you very much Nakajima-kun. And it would be nice if you could talk to her…”
“But sensei…” Yusuke-sensei was gone in an instant and Yuto’s still very much confused.
---
“All right boys, that’s all for this lunch’s meeting. Our practice resumes on January. Oh… And I’d like to say, ‘Happy birthday to our Chinen-kun!’” The boys’ soccer team had a pizza lunch which their coach has treated them to, and yeah, as mentioned, they won’t be worrying about soccer in about a month or so.
As Yamada and Chinen went back to their classrooms, quickly they were told about the Umiko-Akihiko incident. When Chinen heard that Umika was involved, he quickly ran off to look for her while Yamada asked some other students for details.
“Umi-chan…” Yamada uttered as he ran off, using the remainder of lunchtime to look for Louise - although he knows he’ll probably not see her in school now, though.
xXxXx
It’s the end of Daiki’s Computer Science remedial class [normally they don’t have computer science on Tuesdays and Thursdays] but their teacher held a remedial session for those wanting some extra notes. He’s packing up now and still, he’s worrying as to who can join with him to this trivia show contest. Then, “A-anou…” Daiki looked up to see Asuka, looking a bit embarrassed.
“Asuka-chan…”
“I’d like to apologize for the other day.” She bowed a little, hugging her folder near her chest. “I believe I created an awkward situation.”
Daiki squinted a little, remembering Inoo’s too straightforward words, and yes, that awkward moment Asuka has created. “You don’t have to worry about it.” He smiled, “Let’s say, it’s forgotten already.”
Asuka bowed once again and shyly said that she didn’t really know what she could say so she ran off. Clearly though, in Daiki’s opinion, Asuka herself didn’t really get to confess anything, so if you think about it, there really isn’t anything to feel too awkward about.
“We’ll then, I’ll see you around.” Daiki smiled and Asuka did so too, but when Daiki stood up, he left that important piece of paper he’s been staring at since this morning.
“Ah, Dai-chan, wait up. You left this…” Asuka called out to him, showing him that list he and Line did this morning - of those freshmen that they know. “Ah… You wanna join trivia game too?”
Daiki took the paper from Asuka and nodded simply, “Yeah…”
“Oh. I heard there’ll be multiple artists on that concert.”
“I knew it was a big-time event.”
Asuka nodded in agreement. “So, I assume you have a partner already…”
With that Daiki can’t help but sigh, then, “Not really… Apparently, Line-chan can’t join and I’m still looking for someone…”
“I’ll join you.”
Daiki raised his eyebrows a little.
“W-well… If that’s okay with you that is… and with Line-chan - I mean, Laririt-san…” Asuka’s eyes were looking elsewhere, probably trying to avoid Daiki’s.
---
“WHAT~!?” Inoo was sure he heard Line almost throwing her bag on her seat. They are of course in that café once again - these guys sure have a lot of free time. “Say that again?”
“I said, Asuka-chan offered to be my partner.” Daiki said flatly. “Really, I see no problem.”
“What is it with you wanting to be in this quiz show so badly anyway?” Line asked, a little exasperation in her voice. She slammed her café mocha cup on top of the table.
Inoo, who just got his cup of coffee sat down, crossed his legs and spoke matter-of-fact, “It’s the concert tickets.”
With Inoo’s answer, Line stared at Daiki who is now slumped on his chair and sipping his hot choco. “Concert tickets?”
“He’s a total freak when it comes to foreign artists, in case you’ve forgotten. That’s literally you’re common denominator when you guys met.” Inoo took another sip, “Still, you’re willing to pair up with Asuka-san just for those tickets huh? Dai-chan, you’re screwed up sometimes.”
Then Daiki shrugged, “I see no reason why I should say no. Asuka-chan’s just trying to help. Besides, if you think about the past incidents thoroughly, there really isn’t anything that should make us wanna distance ourselves from her, is there?”
“If you want those tickets that badly, I’ll buy you one.” Line uttered this and Inoo almost spilled his coffee.
Daiki silently replied, “Really guys, I’m serious.”
“Well, it’s clear enough that you and I are not on the same page Dai-chan.” Inoo uttered, wiping his mouth off.
“What same page? What are you talking about?” Confused, Daiki looked from Inoo to Line - who is now slumped on her own chair and chugging her café mocha “I’m just saying… Asuka-chan is our friend. It’s just that.”
“Urgh, must I spell it out for you?” Inoo’s tone was a little desperate, “How can you be so stupid when you don’t have to be? Didn’t the conversation I just had with Asuka the other day sent any loose messages at all into your head?”
Daiki puts his hands up, “Unless you tell me, I don’t see anything wrong with pairing up with Asuka-chan.”
To Daiki and Inoo’s surprised, Line suddenly stood up, pulled her bag over her shoulders and was on her way.
“Oi Line-chan, where are you going!?” Inoo shouted but Line was already a few feet away.
“Line-chan!” Daiki almost stood up but Inoo caught him. “What did I say?” With Daiki’s question, Inoo just shook his head as if asking his friend to just let it go.
---
LINE’S POV
I don’t really know why I walked away, I just did. Sometimes, I feel like I have the right to spontaneously do things without even thinking - not once, not twice.
Hearing ‘Asuka’ again after a few days was a little tingling - in a sort of, indescribable way? And to hear her from Dai-chan, for a moment, it feels like something’s stuck down my throat.
What did happen last time? Was there something that we SHOULD HAVE remembered at all? While I try to put my head in Dai-chan’s, I kind of don’t get it why Dai-chan doesn’t really know where this is all going.
Last time, was supposedly, her confession to Dai-chan. Or so Kei-chan and I think - me and Kei-chan, unconsciously, we were reading the atmosphere the same way. It’s simple. Asuka likes Dai-chan. She wanted to make sure I’m not after Dai-chan, so she set me up so that I can confess to Kei-chan. apparently, it kind of backfired and things went a little intense, so what left for her to do was to walk-away.
I laugh at the thought of me liking Kei-chan though. I mean, what would give her such idea?
Then again…
I stopped on my tracks. I’m almost at the entrance to our dormitory.
I don’t like Kei-chan in a way Asuka puts it.
I nodded, thinking.
What about Dai-chan?
When I heard myself utter his name, my feet were suddenly moving and I was running up to my room. Things were fast - I was moving too fast I didn’t even get to notice people as I go by. And as I heard my door shut, I can only close my eyes.
“So… what about Dai-chan?” I said this out loud. For the first time in my life, I was unsure of what to think - my mind was like a blank canvas.
My back leaning against my door, I went to my desk, opened my laptop, and when the desktop background showed up, I can only stare in disbelief. All this time, I was using that random picture Daiki and I had when we were out in the rain. When did I change this?
Like a sudden tone, Ruby’s words rang into my head. “YOU JUST DO IT WITHOUT THINKING…”
Even before my head can get to anywhere, I poked myself and pinched my cheek. “Nah…” I rolled my eyes and jumped onto bed. Clearly there’s no way my thoughts are going THAT direction.
And as I stared at my desktop though, I smiled. ‘What is it about this penguin that makes me wanna just look at him?’ Hearing myself, I shut my eyes and rolled here and there. “There’s no way I’m thinking like this!!!!”
It was irritating I tell you. But, I’ve got to admit. It makes me smile.
END OF LINE’S POV
---
Daiki sent about ten mails to Line since she left, but there’s not one reply at all. “I kind of thought Line didn’t really like Asuka-chan that much, but I didn’t think she’d be this upset.”
“You’re clearly not seeing the bigger picture.” Inoo uttered. They’re inside Inoo’s room right now, and Daiki’s propped up on his study chair.
“Will you stop with the mysterious sentences already and just tell things straight?”
Inoo closed his book, “It’s no use if answers are given to you. You have to find them for yourself.” With that Inoo laid on his bed, “Hint though… think carefully if you really wanna join that quiz thing with Asuka-san. Last time you paired up with her, did you really enjoy it?”
With Inoo’s words and tone, Daiki can only throw his bag to Inoo. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It was a decent question, darn it!” Inoo hit Daiki back with his bag. “You didn’t look an inch bit happy with that funny bones game.”
“Well, because you get to pair up with Line-chan” this came more like a whisper from Daiki, but Inoo heard him and it created a little devilish smile on Inoo’s face.
With this Inoo propped himself up, “We’re talking about Asuka here, don’t change the subject.”
“Whatever…”
“You don’t happen to like Asuka-san now, don’t you?”
“NO! OF COURSE NOT!!!”
“And Line-chan?”
“Huh?” Daiki looked a bit red now, and then he turned the chair so that he’s not facing Inoo, “What about Line-chan?”
Laughing a little to himself, “You’re hopeless…”
xXxXx
It’s well after four, and classes just ended. Yuto had Louise’s things packed since lunchtime, and now he’s readying himself to get going.
As he was about to leave, Yuto noticed an earphone dangling a little from that space just under Louise’s desk and when he went to look, there’s a black iPod nano in there with the earphones.
Assuming well that it’s Louise’s, Yuto took the iPod and instinctively checked if it was on, and what showed on the screen made his eyebrows furrow. It was a still, apparently, the video was paused and Yuto can only utter one name: “Akihiko-san?”
---
Louise got home just about after one, and what she did first was run straight to her room. She fell asleep not really sure what she was thinking and now, she’s glad that she did because her dad kept calling her - perhaps the school phoned him right after she was sent home. As Louise looked at her clock, she thought automatically that everyone’s one their way home - dismissal time.
When she hit her voice messages, three were from her dad. She clicked on the latest one and for a moment, what she heard surprised her: “I’ll try to be home early, and maybe you can tell me what got into that hot-head of yours. Don’t worry. I stabbed someone with a pencil when I was in Junior High.” He was laughing a little, and then, “Oh, and no matter what, I’m not gonna go into drama mode, so I’m telling you right now that you don’t have to think about me going all TV-star.” Louise thought it was over when, “Oh. And we’ll talk it over some ice cream, ne?”
In a way, it was enough. Sure, her dad may sound a little like he’s too careful, but Louise was grateful. She was expecting him to sound a little disappointed, a little frustrated - but no, he sounded the exact opposite. Maybe all this time, this was the kind of dad she was keeping herself from - and that minute, Louise thought she’s being stupid for keeping such a dad away from her.
Suoh was up and dandy when he saw Louise walking around the house and Louise sat there with him for a good while and talked to her dog. “I messed it up buddy.” She said, rubbing the dog’s ears. “I was planning an all-out dramatic revelation, and I screwed up in the last minute.”
Suoh whined a little - it’s really funny how beagles get to give out such human expressions, or maybe that depends on the person looking.
“I gathered all my evidence: my outdoor shoes, that picture of the costume Keito and I tried hard to make - then my art tools. All hard evidence… then there’s that video of hers.” She shook her head, “I was gonna ask someone from the AVI (Audio Visual Interface) Department to set it up for me for the next classroom assembly; so that everyone in my class, including my sensei would see what kind of witch she’s being. Oh! And those mean letters she gives Umika, and those that she leaves in my locker.” Rubbing Suoh, the dog eventually sat on her lap. Then Louise sighed, “So much for planning everything and keeping it all a secret - now it backfired and I’m suspended.” She laughed a little. “Usually, the villains are the ones who get the punishment, right?” She paused a little, “Well, I guess it doesn’t really go like that all the time.”
As if on cue, Suoh walked away from her and started chasing his tail.
“Sorry I rarely get to play with you.”
Suoh just barked and then ran towards her room, then back to Louise. He was wagging his tail.
“Oh whatever. It’s just suspension. And besides, I liked how the cake covered her face, you should’ve seen it!” Suoh barked at this once again and Louise just grabbed her dog and embraced him. “I guess you’re with me for the rest of the week buddy - hopefully I’ll get to teach you tricks while I’m not VA-CAY-TION!”
After a few minutes, Louise just felt the need to wind up and she took her sketchbook with her, along with a normal lead pencil, and made her way to that park just outside their condominium. She took her usual bench, still in her uniform - yeah, skirt and so - but Louise’s didn’t mind. She took off her shoes, pulled her legs closer and sketched the rushing river just in front of her.
The sound of the rushing water made her feel a little bit better - sure suspension is never nice, then again, she thought that at least she gets to make Akihiko feel and look a little miserable.
Not really sure how, but suddenly, Louise was doodling a cartoon version of Akihiko with the cake sacked on her face. When she was done, Louise can only giggle at her creation. “I should’ve let it slide down the front of her shirt…” She uttered, feeling the meanness of her own thoughts.
“Clearly, what you did was classic.”
Surprised, Louise turned around and saw someone she wasn’t really expecting. “Yama-chan?”
“You could’ve gotten away with it, if only Millie-sensei wasn’t around checking randomly on the corridors. You just don’t have that much luck yet I guess.”
Frowning, Louise can only look at him.
“Maa~ your first encounter with Millie-sensei wasn’t full of luck either anyway.”
“What are you doing here?” Finally, Louise gets to speak.
Yamada walked a little and soon, he sat beside her. “This park doesn’t belong to you, you know.”
This made Louise chuckle a little.
“Somehow, I wanna ask you what happened, but I’ve got a feeling you won’t tell me.”
Smiling, Louise just shook her head and looked at the river.
“I knew it. Well, I’m not Yuto, or Keito - you probably wouldn’t tell Chii too.”
Finding his talking a little weird, Louise can only laugh a little, “What do you want to know?”
Yamada looked at her, and somehow, his look made Louise look back. “I told you, you can always tell me anything.”
“I’m not really keen into letting people into everything I do.”
Yamada nodded, “I’m not surprised.”
“And besides, you shouldn’t be part of it.” With this, Yamada noted how Louise started swaying her feet back and forth.
“I saw them…” After a while, this is what Yamada said; then he looked at Louise who was staring at him already - shock on her face.
Shocked, she wanted to clarify what he’s talking about. “I’m sorry?”
“That day I gave you back your sketchbook…” he paused, “I didn’t really find it in my bag.” Louise was literally just staring at him, “I saw them taking it from your locker.”
Blinking a little, Louise can only stare. Soon, she took a deep breath and looked back at the river.
“How can put this… I guess I should’ve told the teachers…” he looked at the river too, “…that would’ve been the best thing to do.” He looked back at Louise, “…and now I wonder why I didn’t.”
Louise was quiet - it’s as if she wasn’t there.
“I would assume, the sketchbook wasn’t the first incident, was it?”
“I don’t really have to tell you everything.”
“But you will.” Yamada’s confident remark made Louise look at him confusingly.
“What makes you think I will?”
“’Cause you can’t tell it to anybody else.”
“So, I’ll tell it to you?”
“I assume…”
Louise laughed at the thought, “As I’ve thought - you’re too confident.”
“That’s rich, coming from someone like you.”
Louise didn’t really say anything after that, but having Yamada beside her right now, laughing away at his misplaced confidence, somehow, it made her feel at ease.
Soon, Yamada took her sketchbook and Louise just watched him flipped over the pages. He stopped at the recent one with Akihiko’s face covered with the cake. “Did it look like this?”
“Somehow…” she pointed at Akihiko’s nose, “But her nose is much bigger here - I emphasized it a little.”
“You’re really a mean person on the inside, huh?”
She shrugged. Then Yamada flipped over some pages and just when he was about to turn on a certain page, Louise grabbed the sketchbook from him. “Oh! That’s about it. You can’t look past this one.”
“Really?”
She nodded. “On to other matters, how are things between you and Mariya-san?”
With that, Yamada took a deep, heavy breath - as if he’s suddenly tired. “Well, I’ve been trying hard not to think about that, but thank you very much for bringing it back up.”
“I’m telling you, I think she’s nice.”
“I think so too.”
“Then why not just give it another shot with her?”
Yamada looked at Louise and Louise can only look at him with a questioning face. “I’m not really sure it’ll work the second time around if the first time didn’t.”
“You’ve got to give it at least some try.” She pouted, “Besides, you just said you think she’s nice. The odds are greater this time around.”
“I don’t think so…”
“Why not?”
Yamada then looked at his feet - and at his peripheral view, he can see Louise’s feet swinging back and forth. “I dunno… other factors.”
“Like?”
“Like maybe she likes someone else.”
“Or YOU like someone else, ne?” Louise was the one to finish his sentence and Yamada can only look at her. “Hey! This liking someone thing… That was my idea!”
He shook his head in disbelief, “Unlikely.” He uttered then he felt Louise just shove him to the side.
“Stop acting cool, it irritates me.”
“I’m not!” And the two just laughed a little at the silly things they suddenly come up with to talk about.
Soon enough after some time, Louise decided to speak with a different topic in mind, “Oh right… everybody’s done with thinking we’re dating, right?”
Yamada laughed, “Well, if they see us right now, they’d think we’re lying and then they’ll think we’re still going out.”
“Be serious here! I was seriously asking you a serious question!”
“Calm down; it’s not as if anybody can see us - and yes, I think I told them we’re not dating.”
“YOU THINK!?” Louise started punching Yamada’s arms but it was pretty futile really - this tiny guy having some pretty good built-up muscles, it’s a little unbelievable really.
xXxXx
Back in Winnipeg, it’s around six in the morning and it’s boring to have a lecture class this early. Why must she take this class alone anyway? Reen sighed; this class would be much more bearable if Line was here with her taking this Architecture course in Winnipeg. But then again, no one could stop that girl from doing what she wants - and from going where she wants to go.
Soon, her phone vibrated, she answered right away and the person on the other Line just kep yapping and yapping. Reen kept her tone hushed - she’s sitting at the far back of her classroom. “Eh?”
“Yep. I’m telling you; HE will be in Japan a few days from now.”
“Mike I swear, if you’re only making this all up, I’m gonna kill you!”
“I’m not making it up!”
“Should we tell Line then?”
“You don’t think they’ll end up bumping into each other now, don’t you?”
“I dunno! We live in a very small world!”
“Okay, calm down Reen, we’ll think of something.”
“How come you only told me this now?”
“I didn’t know, okay! It’s freakin six in the morning and I still haven’t gotten any sleep. Stupid essay… anyway, I was about to turn off my laptop when something popped up from his facebook and it just made my jaw drop.” There was a little clicking at the other end of the phone, “Apparently, his family decided to go on a Christmas vacation. Look at his facebook account.”
“I’m not friends with that guy!”
“He kept posting stuff like… erm… packing up for the trip. Then, um… Can’t wait to get out of Winnipeg and leave the snow. I’m telling you, even his friends were commenting on how lucky he is to get to go to Japan.”
“Well, let’s just hope he doesn’t realize that Line’s there too.”
“Reen…” there was a pause, “I think he knows…”
“What?”
There was message sent to Reen’s facebook and it was from Mike. What the message made Reen wanna panic a little; apparently, it was copied off from someone’s facebook wall:
Kenneth’s STATUS stream
Kenneth Dickson: Anybody here knows anyone who’s in Japan right now?
Kenneth Dickson: It’d be awesome if I can meet some acquaintance there.
K. Harino: ‘SHE’ is there.
Kenneth Dickson: Oh. Yeah!
K. Harino: Meet up with her and that boyfriend of hers.
Kenneth Dickson: Maybe I will. That Yamada Ryosuke guy.
Kenneth Dickson: I’ll want to meet that hacker guy who messed up my PC.
K. Harino: You go Ken!
K. Harino: You think you’ll see ‘her’ there?
Kenneth Dickson: I hope not; but if I do so, then be it.
K. Harino: ;P
“Boyfriend?” Reen asked. “What boyfriend?”
“I think that’s the fake boyfriend Line was asking us about in her messages. And I think he’s pretty pissed off PLUS - I think he thinks Line’s making up this boyfriend guy.”
“Well, he doesn’t seem too happy about the boyfriend - whoever he is. But it’s still awful too he gets to meet Line.”
“Who knows what that guy will do? He’ll probably spam Line’s facebook again!”
“Mike, anong gagawin naten!? [Mike, what are we gonna do!?]” Reen couldn’t help it, her tagalog tongue just got the best out of her, and her professor was actually staring at her; she’s in the middle of her last subject for the day right now and she’s been talking with Mike for a few minutes. “Sorry sir…” she bowed apologetically then.
“Subukan nateng tawagan si Line…[We’ll try calling Line]” there was a pause, and Mike sighed, “Let’s just hope Line gets in touch with us this time.”
---
“ACHOO!!!” Line sniffed - it’s eight in the evening, most of them are inside the dorm now, and they’re in the middle of their dinner; her friends has been nonstop on asking Ruby about Yuya while Ruby tried her best to not say anything too much - hey, it’s not really a good thing to talk about dates a lot. Rubbing her nose a little, “Guys, leave Ruby alone. Go get yourselves your own boyfriends, and stop asking her about hers.”
“I bet you already have one yourself, don’t you Line-chan?” Alex asked, nudging.
Line was in the middle of taking a good sip from her mushroom soup, “Leave me alone!”
“Oh right! How are things with Arioka-kun?” Mei was the one to ask. “I’ll go out with him, of you don’t.”
“They’re not seats that work on a first come first serve basis - stop talking like boys are some items!” Line was a little furious.
“Then you don’t mind if I do ask him out.”
While sipping, Line stopped half-way, “You wouldn’t. You have a boyfriend back in China don’t you?”
“What if I broke up with him already? I’ll go ask Arioka-kun to go the Christmas Party dance with me.”
“Shut up Mei!” Ruby was the one to say this, “We all know you don’t really like Arioka-kun!”
Line was practically glaring at Mei. ‘So, what’s with all that talk!?’
“Line, she’s just trying to make you angry.”
‘And weird enough, I am.’ Line heard herself say this, but there really isn’t much she should say - so she kept eating.
As the girls went back to their room, Mei was apologizing about teasing Line and it ended up pretty okay. She was pretty persistent though about having Line asks Daiki on the Christmas Party Dance which will be held just before Christmas Eve.
---
Inoo was browsing through his facebook when sure enough he saw something that almost made him gag. It took about five seconds before he opened his door to tell Daiki about what he just saw, and the moment his door swung open, Daiki’s door swung open too and both of them said this exact same thing at the same time: “KENNETH’S COMING TO JAPAN!”
The boys were staring at each other as if it’s some weird news, but after a few seconds, and receiving some weird faces from their other dorm mates passing by, Inoo rushed to Daiki’s room and quickly sat in front of his computer.
“Wow, this is interesting.” Inoo uttered - looking really interested. This guy sure knows what might spice up some boring times.
“I don’t see why we should panic though. He’s not particularly in Tokyo.”
“And he didn’t really say where he’ll be.”
“Well, given that he’s too dumb to even know where he’ll be…” Inoo uttered and scrolled to more of Kenneth’s recent entries. “This is just rich…”
“Whatever it is, we just have to make sure he doesn’t meet Line.”
“Yeah, or else, Line-chan will kill us.”
xXxXx
Chapter Sixteen - Part 2