The Unfinished Story - Chapter Seventeen

[aemrith]

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 For Chapter 17: It's an interesting trip for Daiki and Line - this time, Inoo gets left behind *sneaky laugh* Meanwhile, Ruu-chan's up for a rather, different dilemma.
A/N: I am terribly sorry - this took way longer than I anticipated; it's horribly late. I'd like to keep the negative adjective coming, but this'll be endless. Anyway, I'd say this chapter's a bit bittersweet. It's rather short [i think] but I do hope it's all worth the wait. T^T Again, it's a bit DaiLine biased, so please, feel free to whack me if there aren't much Ruu-scenes [then again, i'm happy i don't have to deal with Ruu too much on this chapter. haha!] Oh, and I'm about to start my exams, I finished this chapter as a reward for myself [I know, weird, right?] but yeah... i'm not too sure how this chapter went, but I do hope it's okay.

________________________________________

Chapter Seventeen - When words start to fumble…

It’s raining really hard; Line and Daiki could only stare at the exit of the train station. No one has brought an umbrella. Haha!

“Well, the weather sure looked nice a few minutes ago.” Daiki uttered while Line started pacing. “Gomen Line-chan. You’re bored aren’t ya?” To his surprise, Line looked at him, a bright smile on her face, and camera on hand. He then heard a ‘click’ and she giggled. Daiki put up a face that says he’s somewhat confused, but Line said nothing and soon she was back beside him.

“Well someone looks cute when worried.” She uttered, and showed Daiki a picture. He’s frowning, biting his lips, and well, he does look like he’s thinking too much about something.

Not sure what to say next, Daiki did his usual flicking of his nose and looked away a little.

Line laughed, “I’ve got tons of your pictures already, there’s no use being shy now.”

“Why do you take so much pictures of me anyway?” His tone was a little hushed - like he thought twice about asking it then just went for it. There’s this element of shyness in Daiki’s way of uttering this that would make one think that he’s trying not to stutter. When he saw Line’s expression after hearing him say this, Daiki wished he hadn’t said anything. But soon enough when she spoke, Daiki was more surprised…

“I’m not sure.” She was looking down at her camera, and after a few seconds, she looked at Daiki, “Don’t worry - I’ll never show it to anybody else.” She winked, “Your nasty expressions, and ugly faces are safe with me.” Not waiting for Daiki’s reply, Line paces somewhere else again, and Daiki watched as she take pictures of the rain.

Still frustrated about the look of the sky - like the rain’s not planning on leaving anytime soon - Daiki took out his iPod touch, held onto that favourite penguin of his and for some reason, he had the urge to take a picture of Line. Right now, she’s bent on her knees near the train platform and seems to be taking a picture of the rails narrowing. There were some noises, and Daiki knew that a train was coming, so he was quick to rush towards Line and pull her from the platforms.

“Relax Dai-chan, I’m not the suicidal type.” She chuckled a little as Daiki’s grip on her tightened.

“I didn’t say you are. It’s just that, accidents can happen.”

“I’m not accident prone either - at least, not that much.” Line puts her camera back inside her bag and she and Daiki walked towards the exit. “Aww…”

“What’s up?”

Line pointed at the sky - it seems like the dark clouds are fading. “It looks like the rain is gonna end soon.”

Suddenly ~ GGGGGRRRRRHHHHHH….. Daiki and Line, both with wide eyes, stared at each other. “Who was that?”

“I’m not THAT hungry. I ate, remember?” Line grinned, now her eyebrows are moving up and down. “You on the other hand were very hard to feed.” There was another GGGGGGRRRRRRHHHHH~ “Haha!”

Daiki held onto his stomach. “But I’m not hungry!” He complained, but Line was tugging on his sleeves and they were on their way out of the station. “It’s still raining…”

“Ambon nalang yan… [There are only tiny, faint droplets of rain left]” Line spoke in one of her many foreign tongues.

“What?” Daiki uttered.

“Nothing. I said, let’s gooooo!!!!” With nothing else to say, Line dragged Daiki out in the open space, the tiny left-over droplets of rain, kissing their faces. She watched as Daiki wrinkled his nose as he looked up at the sky, and Line just laughed, pulling Daiki’s hand towards who knows where, while her other hand hugs her bag towards her chest.

They soon stopped, under one big umbrella perched on a table set placed near a convenience store. They’ve been running the sidewalks of Chiba for about some minutes, and good enough, they’re not drenched. It wasn’t long until the rain was finally gone, and the sun slowly claims the sky like this morning.

Line was laughing, and Daiki was wiping himself dry. Panting a little, she said, “That was fun!”

“I have to re-write my description of fun.” Line watched as Daiki takes out handkerchief from his pocket and poked Line’s face with it. “Something like…*clears his throat* Fun: getting drenched in the rain. Reference: Line-chan…” Line shut her eyes as Daiki quickly wipes her face despite her efforts to stop him. “There!” He laughed as Line finally was able to breathe.

Line rubbed her eyes, and brushed her damp bangs aside as she glares at Daiki while he’s just laughing on his own. “I’m not a kid!”

“But you’re Chibikko right?” He raised his eyebrows, and bit on his lips, “Little-child.”

Still frowning, Line just let out a ‘hmp!’ and walked inside a restaurant.

Just when she was about to be assisted by someone, Daiki grabbed onto her arm. “Hey, where do you think you’re going?”

“You’re hungry, I’m hungry, here’s a good-looking food-source, what’s your problem!?” She asked for her arm back, but Daiki’s grip was tight.

“This is my hometown, I’m taking the lead.” Daiki uttered with much bossy-ness in his tone. “I’ve had it with Chibikko dragging me everywhere!”

Looking a little not sure what to say, Line just raised her brows, “Okay then. After you Oji-san…” she made a butler like gesture and Daiki just shook his head - this is probably one of the unique days where Line steps a little out of her Line-ness when irritating Daiki. In a weird way, she can’t help but smile as Daiki angrily pulls her bag [along with her] towards a different direction.

“What are you laughing about? My tummy did not rumble again, for your information.” Daiki uttered, keeping his head up and walking in a steady manner.

“You’re funny when you’re mad. You look like a penguin going from tuxedo black to pinkish-red in color.” Line was already taking out her camera, and there was a click.

Daiki stopped on his tracks, “Not again…?” he was frowning, wondering maybe.

When he looked at her, she already had a peace sign on, and her eyes all chink-y. “You gotta get used to it.” She pulled a raspberry tongue and Daiki can only shake his head. Sometimes being with Line simply means being with a kid.

They started walking a little bit further, and ended up in front of an even more fancier looking restaurant than the one they were supposed to go into a few minutes ago. “If it’s fancy food, you gotta get to Erle Grande [A/N: completely made-up place. I assure you]” He was pulling Line in, but her neck was somehow stretched, looking at somewhere across the street.

“Okonomiyaki!!!!” To Daiki’s surprise, Line was already rushing to cross the street, and after trying to let Line’s sudden running sink-in, he was already running beside her.

They stopped in front of this tiny Okonomiyaki stall, and Line was already taking pictures. “You’ve got some serious attention issues.” Daiki uttered, trying to catch his breath.

“Itadakimasu!” Line brightly uttered upon entering this tiny place. “Uwaah…” Daiki watched as she points out every familiar thing on the menu, and when they got a seat, “I’ll cook!” Line beamed, grabbing onto those flat flippers (A/N: erm? What do you really call them? they look like pancake spatula or something to me. Haha!)

To her surprise, Daiki raised his iPod touch. “Chee-zu!” He uttered, Line raised her flippers, and there’s that familiar shutter sound. “Hai…” Daiki showed it to her. Then Daiki saw a toddler, entering with her parents. “Cute…”

“Thank you!” Shocking him a little, Daiki looked back at Line. He looked at her questioningly then she just grinned.

Not long enough, their food arrived, and Line looked at her bowl. “You’re supposed to mix them…” without waiting for Line to say anything, Daiki grabbed her bowl and mixed it up for her. Then he poured them onto the hot pan just between them. Daiki was about to start flipping it with his spatulas but Line snatched them from his hands.

“Let me!” she grunted then started flipping. “Woooaahhh… I’m good.” She smiled, and Daiki was just laughing at her.

“Sure sure…” Daiki was about to cook his own when Line took his bowl, did what he just did earlier and was cooking for him too. “Hey, I want to do that too you know!” he tried grabbing onto one of the spatulas, “Give it!”

She already has her tongue out, “Just sit there and wait!”

After a few minutes of fighting over spatulas, and even over stuff to add onto their table, Daiki and Line were finally munching.

And at her first bite, “Uwaaaaw… Yummmm~”

“Well, you’re taste sure isn’t too classy after-all…” Daiki uttered, watching Line as she keeps eating. “You’re rich, aren’t ya?”

“My parents are, not me. How many times must I repeat that?” she took a big bite, “Bheshides…” she swallowed, “Will you stop with the rich-kid thing already?”

He took his own bite, “Fine, fine… I’ll stop.” Then he looked at her, “But you are…”

Line glared… And remembering something she heard from Inoo, “Well, you’re rich, aren’t ya?” she raised her brows, somehow, she felt like the table’s turned, “Kei-chan… he says it all the time.”

He didn’t say anything right away, but Daiki kept eating. When Line insisted on an answer, “Well… my parents are, not me.”

“Hmp…”

“If it isn’t Arioka-kun…” An old man suddenly spoke, and Line slowed her chewing. “Hisashiburi (long time no see)” He’s probably in his late sixties, or so Line figured.

Daiki looked surprised for a second, then “Ginjo-san.”

Line looked from Daiki to the old man, then back to Daiki. “Ah, visiting your old place with a friend I see.” He spoke, smiling at Line. “Must be a very special friend.” He looked back at Daiki while saying this and Line watched as Daiki tried to smile sheepishly. “Onamae wa? (your name…)”

“Laririt Line desu. Yoroshiku.” Line surprised Daiki when she stood up and bowed politely.

The old man laughed and offered Line a hand-shake. “You’re a foreigner yet you act more polite than some young locals I’ve seen.” As Line took it, the old man smiled. “I’m Ginjo Takeshi.”

Line and Daiki offered the old man to come eat with them. Takeshi-san obliged to sit with them, but he insisted on having his usual tea and just that.

“So. I reckon you’ve seen Asu-chan by now.” Line was sipping some water when Takeshi-san said this, and she felt like the water escaped her lips - soon she was wiping her face dry.

Daiki looked around for a moment, “Ah, yes. We have one class together.”

“Asu-chan must’ve been really happy.” To Line’s surprise, the old man called onto her, “You see, my granddaughter likes this guy too much.” Then he laughed, the usual oji-chan laugh, and continued, “But apparently, this boy here just couldn’t return the same feelings.”

“Oh…” was all Line could utter.

There was a bit of a silence and Line wasn’t really sure what to say next, so she just nodded. She looked towards Daiki and was kind-of expecting him to be looking a bit - erm, unsure - but what she saw was pretty unexpected. Daiki was just looking at her, as if watching her reactions.

Takeshi-san laughed once again before continuing, “They grew up together, Asu-chan and Arioka-kun… I’ve watched them a few times before.” He paused, and Daiki looked away a little, but he looked back at Line, “But you see… Arioka-kun never looked at my Asu-chan the way he looks at you, child.”

Line was sure she was blinking, about ten times perhaps. And Daiki looked away and was trying to mumble something. Takeshi-san was laughing though.

“Well, I better get going now.” Daiki and Line were surprised when Takeshi-san suddenly stood up after the faint silence, his cup in hand. “It’s nice to see you again, boy.” He ruffled onto Daiki’s hair and Daiki was smiling a bit-childishly, Line fought the urge to grab her camera and take a shot.

“It’s nice seeing you again Ginjo-san.” Daiki felt like telling him to stay, but the old man sure sounded like he really wants to go. Then suddenly, Takeshi-san leaned closer to Daiki’s ear.

“I’m glad you’re happy, child.” He whispered, then Daiki watched as he bowed towards Line, and was soon out of the place.

---

“So he’s Asuka-san’s grandfather huh…” Line uttered. They’re walking towards what Daiki said, his favourite place. The sun had claimed the sky well that you can’t even tell it rained. Her steps were like small hops actually, as she tries to tip-toe a bit. “You guys must be really close when you were kids… Asuka-san and you that is…”

Daiki had his hands inside his pockets, walking just beside Line, “I guess.” He paused, “..Maybe….” he paused again, “Actually I’m not really sure.”

Line was laughing, “That’s not possible.” She started walking normally, “It’s impossible not to remember.” She insisted.

“Do you remember every single thing from your childhood?”

Her answer was almost automatic. “We used to visit a province. We ride big, big, boats.” She stretched her arms, and closed her eyes, as if imagining the scene, “Then I watch the waves.”

He chuckled. “Ii desu ne (isn’t that nice).”

Line nodded. “And then, me and my cousins, we’d go around town, and buy food and such.” She laughed, “Then we’d swim on the nearby beach, we’d tell silly stories while under a tree.” She suddenly sighed, “I miss those times.”

“You don’t get to do them anymore?” Daiki asked, looking a bit sad too.

Line shook her head, “We moved to Canada.” She pouted. “I haven’t been back to my native country in ages.”

“Why not?”

She shrugged. “What’s your story?” Daiki kind of felt like he wanted to ask more, but when he heard Line’s question, he wasn’t sure where to begin talking. It’s like when Line asks, he’s excited to answer somehow. But before Daiki could say anything, Line clapped her hands, “You and Asuka-san must’ve have some kind of puppy-love thing!”

“NO!” his reply was as quick enough Line couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh please Line-chan, enough about Asuka-chan…” he scratched the back of his head and was frowning.

Still laughing, “Okay, okay…” she puts up a peace sign, “So, your childhood story?”

They were already at some residential areas and Line’s been spotting very nice houses. No longer near the main road, Line can tell that this is a pretty nice and quiet neighbourhood. They kept walking and walking, with Line’s attention halved because of the pretty location they’re in.

Daiki stopped on his tracks and Line thought she said something wrong. Then he pointed at a house just across the street. “That’s our house.” He said and Line held her stare. It was big in terms of a Japanese house, and quite westernized.

“Wow.”

“I used to live in this neighbourhood.” He spoke, the two of them walking towards the front of the house Daiki pointed at. “Then again, we moved to Yokohama right after I graduated middle school.” In front of the house they stood, and Daiki pointed at an old, driftwood-looking bench, sitting at the far end of the front yard. “That’s where you’ll usually find me when I was a kid. I’d be playing with my toys, or just sleeping there.” He smiled. “Weird, they haven’t taken that bench away.”

“Maybe they know you’d be back to sit on it again.” Line uttered and Daiki watched as she opened the gates. “This place still belongs to you guys.” She uttered, pointing at the family tablet near the doorbell.

Daiki and Line were now stepping on the front yard, and Daiki looked like he’s memorizing every corner. Line had her camera out already and was taking pictures, when she called onto Daiki and motioned him to sit on that bench.

He winced a little, “Line-chan, I used to sit there ages ago.”

“Then all the more reason why you should sit again.” There was a smug on her face and Daiki was shaking his head. Soon, he was walking near Line and Line pulled him down to his bench. “Cheese!” without counting, Daiki heard that familiar click, and blinked afterwards. “So, this is your favourite place huh.” She said, her face still behind her lens.

Daiki was quiet and just looking around. He took a deep breath and stared at most of the stuff he still remembers so well. “Nyappari (I knew it), maybe I wouldn’t join that quiz thing anymore.” He said, rather nonchalantly.

Not really saying anything right away, Line turned her back on Daiki and focused her camera on the sidewalks. “And why?” She soon asked, still clicking away - occasionally looking down at her LCD to check on her shots.

“Just because…”

“Just because what?”

Daiki was chuckling, “It’s hopeless trying to avoid a subject with you.”

“Ah! Squirrel!” Line exclaimed and she was sneaking out of the yard and towards a nearby tree. “Don’t move Mr. Squirrel, I just want one shot.” She uttered, and Daiki heard her squeal discreetly, “So chubby!” Just when she was about to take a shot, the little furry friend moved and Line was soon following Mr. Squirrel, one branch after the other.

Watching Line from a few feet away, Daiki can’t help but smile. He took out his iPod Touch and took his own pictures of her. Then he switched it to video-mode and was laughing slightly at Line’s every failed attempt to get a good shot. He could hear her talking to the squirrel, asking him not to move too much and Daiki just felt his jaw not wanting to stop smiling.

“Dai-chan!!!!” Soon she was waving and Daiki turned the video off. “I got a good shot!”

“Omedetou (congratulations)!” He stood up, looked at their old house once again, walked back out towards the street and closed the gates. Contented, he ran towards where Line is. “Yosh, you still have tons to take pictures of here in Chiba.” He spoke after looking at Line’s squirrel papapic. “Let’s go!”

Line grinned, “Let’s go!”

xXxXx

Louise was teaching Suoh some funny tricks when Keito called her and asked her to meet him down at the front lobby of their condominium.

Down at the lobby, Keito stood there looking around when Louise exited the elevator. “Hello!” She greeted, looking around a little, “Yuu-chan’s not here?”

Keito handed Louise her things. “He’s pretty upset about having a sudden student-something meeting. So we volunteered to deliver your stuff.”

“We?”

“Domo!” Chinen was soon inside the lobby as well, and behind him comes Umika. “Wow, you do know you’re wearing PJs, right Umi-chan?” Chinen commented on her outfit.

Louise grinned, “Perks of no classes.” She then winked and Chinen rolled his eyes.

“We talked to the principal.” Umika uttered, handing Louise an envelope. “And here’s his letter for you.”

“Thanks…” She took it, smiled, shoved her bag on her back, and looked at the trio in front of her, “What’re you standing there for, come on.”

“You’ve got a really classy place Umi-chan.” Umika uttered, looking around. “First class condominium.”

Louise had her card key with her, “I’m not sure how my dad affords the expenses to be honest.” She then beamed, “Oh! Head up to our unit, I’ve got some cake and ice cream.” She checked on the time, “Still early… Unless you guys have something planned~” she was looking at Umika and Chinen rather sheepishly.

“Aaa-h…. no… we don’t. Um, I’d love to see your room!” Umika was stuttering and the four of them were soon heading towards the elevator.

---

Keito was busy trying to calm Suoh down the moment they got inside the unit. Umika was trying her best to not laugh as Suoh smolders Keito’s face with kisses. Louise had the dining table set casually, the cake, ice cream, cups and plates all out - and anyone’s free to get a piece on their own will. Chinen was getting his slice when he said, “You really should work on your hosting skills Umi-chan.”

Louise was at the kitchen counter preparing tea. “What for? You guys are not guests.” Someone might take what she said as rude but it made Chinen smile somehow.  “I don’t invite people over if they’re just to be guests”

Chinen was chuckling, “You’re weird.”

“Japan or not, I guess I do things my way wherever I may be.” Louise shrugged, and placed the tea on the table. “Tsk, Suoh, stop trying to eat Keito’s face!” She scolded and Suoh was quick to run towards her and started nibbling on her pants. “He hasn’t seen anyone else lately - he’s under-socialized.” Trying to shake Suoh off her, “Normally he’d be sleeping or lazy-something around the house, I guess having friends over charges up his battery.”

Keito, Umika and Chinen were all eating, and they were asking Louise some random questions; about Suoh, her place, her life back in Canada, all sorts of things. “Oh right, do you wanna hear Akihiko-related-news?” Keito was the one to open the topic.

“Oh please tell me. I adore her.” Louise uttered rather sarcastically that Umika almost burnt herself while sipping her tea.

The three told Louise about that afternoon’s incident, and Louise can only keep her mouth open: her iPod, Yuto standing up for her, Akihiko and Ayaka getting busted. As Keito told the story, and Chinen and Umika butting in once in a while, it all sounded like it’s a joke. Afterwards, “Umi-chan?” Keito uttered.

Louise was soon chuckling, “I guess my plan did work after all. In a different kind of way, sure, but it worked.”

“You set up that iPod.” Chinen uttered, taking another slice. “Neat trick - I should get one of those.”

Louise pointed at Chinen as if he said something correct, “I’ve had it with them - I needed evidence.”

“Too bad you lost your temper too early.”

“It was your cake’s fault!” As Louise uttered this pointing at Chinen, Umika suddenly became so red that Louise wondered if Umika did get to confess somehow. See, the cake, the birthday scene, Umika was planning on confessing to Chinen yesterday, but you know… things screwed up.

Confused, Chinen replied, “My cake?”

Louise looked at Umika, then at Chinen, then back at Umika - Umika was shaking her head discreetly and as if some unspoken conversation, “Forget the cake. The most important thing for me now is that the truth is out.” Louise soon continued, playing like nothing weird came out of her mouth.

“True.” Chinen uttered, “They said Yuto was scary.”

“Some of my friends said they never thought Nakajima-kun has that side. He’s always so cheerful and nice.”

“They better not think Yuu-chan’s a bad guy!” Keito, Chinen, Umika and even Suoh were all surprised by Louise’s raised voice. “I mean… I erm…”

“Don’t worry, I’m sure no one judged him wrongly.” Keito uttered, taking a sip of his tea. “Besides, they knew the situation was ugly.”

Pouting, Louise uttered, “That Yuu-chan. He didn’t even tell me a thing.”

“Serves you right for hiding it to them.” Keito replied, sounding so scolding, “and I have all the right to say, I TOLD YOU SO.”

Louise rolled her eyes, and Chinen was the one to talk, “In any case, be prepared when you get back ‘cause things aren’t gonna be an inch like before.” He looked at Umika, “It’s times like these I love being in a different class than them, ne Mika-chan?”

Umika smiled weakly and just nodded.

The three soon bid good-bye and Louise was rubbing Suoh’s belly as she looks at the envelope Umika gave her. When she opened it and read the contents, Louise can’t help but sigh and scratch the back of her head - but in a weird way, she felt like smiling as well.

xXxXx

After leaving Daiki’s old neighbourhood, Line and Daiki walked just about one spot after the other. Daiki showed her his old school, parks he loved to go to, and convenience stores he used to drop by at after school.

“I always buy veggie-juice.” He uttered, they’re now taking a break and drinking some refreshments.

“Erm, not sure I’ve tried one.” Line uttered after turning her iced-tea bottle’s cap.

“Here.” Daiki offered.

Line looked at it for a second then took a sip, “….uh-huh…. Weird.”

“It’s good!”

“…erm…” She was soon laughing, “No offense, but the taste isn’t what’s weird.”

“What is?”

“I dunno.” She giggled and handed him back her juice, “I still can’t get hold of the fact that it’s veggie in a bottle. You know, I feel like I’m seeing celery being juiced into a bottle.”

“You think too much sometimes.” Daiki then looked around this familiar park. “I just noticed. I feel like it didn’t rain on this part of Chiba.”

“The leaves are pretty crunchy, so maybe.” Line uttered, finishing her bottle. “Where to next?”

Daiki laughed, “Not tired still, huh?”

“It’s not every day I get to be here - I wanna take as much pictures as I can of this place.” She smiled and walked off somewhere which Daiki is accustomed to seeing her do now. Before, whenever Line walks of on her own, Daiki feels like she’s trying to brush a bad conversation, or wanting space. But now, Daiki knows that no matter how many times Line would walk away from him, she’ll come back or call out to him; that she’ll never be really walking far off.

Extended moments: 02 - Daiki and Line [PS: these extended moments are written by a dear friend of mine, so yeah. haha! i love her so much for these. These moments are still part of the story, okay? it goes with the flow of the story, read it with the flow. haha! they are not separated.

DAIKI’S POV

Left, right, left, right, step over the cracks on the pavement, left… right…

I look up and as if reading my mind, she lifts her head, turns towards me and smiled.

“Hey Line-chan… Why do you step over the cracks on the pavement?” I asked, curious.

“I knew you’d ask that but honestly, I don’t know,” goes her reply.

She chuckled and I saw the dimples on her cheeks appear. I smiled back at her. She’s always smiling, I just don’t know why.

The afternoon sun shines softly, casting warm shadows across the path that we’re walking on. She’s walking slightly ahead of me, her hair gently blowing against the warm afternoon breeze. I closed my eyes for a while and feel the wind softly playing on my face. The leaves dances along with their riot of colors, autumn is well on its way. There are small piles of leaves along the sidewalk and I deliberately step on them.

Crunch.

She laughs and I look at her.

Click.

She has her camera slung lazily around her neck with a mischievous smile across her face.
I look at her and stared. The afterglow of the day shining against her, hair blowing across her face, with the autumn leaves around her. That scene is captured inside me, vividly.

She lowered the camera and smiled at me.

It has always been like that - her smile. It always has that effect on me. Even from the very first day I met her. My head was suddenly telling me things… things that I know yet I feel like I don’t.

She raised her camera once again, I heard the familiar click and she looked at her taken photo and smiled. She looked up at me, her smile still bright, reflecting in her eyes.

‘Don’t you know that when you smile at me, you have no idea how sweet it can be?’

I smiled back at her.

‘Surprisingly so…’

I knew that this feeling isn’t something of the ordinary.

‘How could it be that in such a short time you’ve become one of my favorite things?’

(A/N: the italicized, right-alighted lines are from the song ‘Surprisingly So’ by Amy Seeley. The lyrics don’t come in any order though.)

END OF DAIKI’S POV

While walking, Line stopped near a pedestrian lane - with white dashed lines and shoved Daiki her camera. “Take a picture of me.” She uttered. “I’ll be walking towards this way, take a picture of me.” She smiled, rather excitedly. She even placed Daiki where she wants him to be and Daiki was just shaking his head with a smile. “There.” She uttered, “Just like those Beatles photos I’ve seen several times somewhere.” Daiki took her bag from her without even asking and shoved it over his shoulder. It was a pretty empty street, so standing in the middle of the road wasn’t too crazy. “Here I go!” Line uttered, heading towards one end.

As she took a step, it was slow and it surely made Daiki laugh. Line complained, asking him to just take the darn photo. Daiki took tons actually, and soon, Line reached the other end and ran towards Daiki. “Well, do I pass as your assistant?” he asked, showing Line his shots.

She smiled, then raised an eyebrow. “Not bad.” She uttered, clicking over the pictures. “Arigatoo.” Daiki was caught a bit off guard when she gave him a quick hug. “I feel like getting some café mocha.” She grinned and Daiki was already directing her somewhere. “And you’ll have Hot Chocolate, ne?” she spoke, walking backwards so she’s facing Daiki.

“You know me too well already.” He uttered, keeping her bag close to him.

“Not really.” She smiled, “But maybe.”

---

It’s about five in the afternoon, and the sky’s beginning to get dark. Line was smiling, as she and Daiki settled on a café. Sipping on her Café Mocha while clicking away on her camera, checking out every picture she’s taken from today, Line was engrossed in her own little world.

Daiki on the other hand was watching people pass by. The weather sure has been pretty unpredictable lately - with the sudden cold winds, then rain, then now being pretty warm. “Ne Line-chan” he uttered.

“Hmm?” she replied, still clicking on her camera.

“You think I should still join that quiz with Asuka-chan?”

Tick. Tick. Tick. There goes the sound of her camera switching photos. “Hmmm?”

“I mean, after thinking about it, I guess she does… erm… have this…. thing for me.” He shifted a little on his seat, and held onto his cup, “…right?”

“Un…” Tick. Tick. Tick.

Daiki wasn’t sure whether to continue talking, but he just heard himself speak more, “And I mean, I don’t think I can return any of that…. feeling…” He then took a sip from his cup and flicked his nose.

Line stopped on what she’s doing and raised her camera, one click was all it took and Daiki was soon blinking. Line smiled after looking at the new picture.  “You’ve made up your mind.” She spoke, then she handed Daiki her camera. “Look.” She said, after Daiki takes her camera and looks at the shot. Daiki was frowning when Line continued, “You don’t look too bothered anymore.”

At that, Daiki just smiled. He stared at his own photo for a moment, and heard Line’s voice over and over. A chuckle escaped from his mouth, “You can tell what a person’s thinking just by looking at their pictures?” the tone was more of curiosity than teasing.

Line just had a sip when she looked at Daiki and nodded earnestly. “I’ve seen about tons of your expressions. You’re not really good at hiding what you’re really thinking.” Then Line laughed, “Besides, the face shows about everything about a person.” Daiki watched as she turns her cup slowly, “The candid shots show the most genuine things.”

As if on cue, Daiki took the liberty of looking over the other photos. He was frowning a bit, seeing a lot of them with his face on it. Sometimes there are blurry shots, shots of only his feet, his hands, but what interests him more is some consecutive shots of him showing just so many different expressions. “I can’t even remember stretching like this.” He uttered, seeing one photo of him, his arms high up and he’s yawning.

“You’re like a cat when you wake up. You stretch like there’s no tomorrow.” Line answered. “There’s one where you’re yawning so big, I almost saw the entirety of your digestive system.”

Daiki laughed as he saw the said picture. And thus he kept clicking. It was a silent atmosphere thereafter, as Line was looking around, apparently loving the warm atmosphere on this new café. It still gives off the same home-feel their favorite café near Meiji gives off, but the vibe right now is so much different. She took a deep breath, happy about the not-so-cold climate.

Still clicking and clicking, Daiki felt like he’s reading a story while looking at Line’s pictures. It’s as if you want to keep reading each line, finish each paragraph, and turn to the next page as events unfold throughout. Sure most of them are of photos of the same thing - for instance, him, or that squirrel she was chasing, or the cup of café she drinks, those takoyaki she bought, that okonomiyaki store, those pancake-spatulas - there were tons of shots of these things, yet it’s not tiring to look at them for each shot seems like a different scene.

He then realized he was now looking at pictures not from today. Pictures of Line’s study desk, and what made Daiki smile so much more was those pictures of Line’s penguin charm. For a moment, you’d think she’s taking a picture of some penguin model. He laughed seeing one photo of this penguin charm atop of Line’s head - although her face was cut-off - maybe she didn’t wanna be seen.

“Kei-chan sure will kill us.” Line uttered. Daiki just noticed she was fumbling through her phone. “He’s sent about fifteen messages.” She winked and showed Daiki her phone’s notifications.

For some reason, Daiki felt like there’s some lump on his throat, “It would’ve been more fun if he was here.” Unintentionally, his tone was a bit weird and he himself was surprised by it.

But Line shrugged. “It was fun with just you.” He shot her a look and Line was smiling. She puts up a peace sign, “I’ll help apologize to him once we get back.” Line then shoves her phone away and busied herself with her café mocha. “You seem like you’re mocking my pictures inside your head.” She soon spoke, raising an eyebrow; she said this in a joking way.

“I’m curious. Why do you take so many pictures of one subject?” He placed the camera on his lap, and looked at Line as if he’s asking a life-and-death situation. “I mean… just curious.”

“Like…?”

“I mean there are tons of photos of the same thing - like your penguin charm, that squirrel we saw, your study desk, okonomiyakis…” Daiki even went back to looking at Line’s photos in her camera to get more examples. He was about to say ‘me’, since he’s now looking at his own faces when Line answered.

“Because I take lots of pictures of those that I love.”

Daiki stopped clicking, and the camera’s LCD was showing a picture of him, sitting on that favorite bench of his, and he was looking far away. “Things you love…”

She nodded earnestly, “Photos are memories. I want to keep as many memories of those that I love.” She looked down on her feet, her smile still there but she looks like she’s a bit embarrassed. “Other people might think I’m melodramatic, but I don’t care.” She looked up again and had a bright smile, “So yeah…”

----

On their way back to Meiji, Line and Daiki were waiting at the train station. It’s about well after five, and they’ve both decided they should call it a day. Line tucked her bag closer to her, feeling the soothing autumn breeze as it sweeps away wisps of her hair. She saw Daiki move to a vending machine. “Hot Chocolate” she figured almost automatically. Although he just had some while they were at the café, knowing Daiki, another cup in less than two hours isn’t surprising.

“You had lots of pictures of Chiba now.” Daiki spoke, handing her a cup of café mocha. Line took it and she smiled - it wasn’t an extremely cold day, yet that warm cup touching her palms felt really nice. It’s also nice how he knows exactly what she wants. Kind of something only selected people can do.

“If you define Chiba as “Arioka Daiki”, then I do have lots of Chiba pictures.” She smiled, snuggling her face under her collar while holding onto her warm cup tighter. “Ne Dai-chan.” She uttered, then looked at him - the train’s almost there.

“Hmm?” he uttered, looking back at her - it struck so differently, that moment… that somehow, they felt like there was something between them that others will never understand.

Line, still staring at Daiki - she can’t help but remember almost every single picture of him that she’s taken. If she could take more, she would. Daiki’s eyes are always sparkling, as cheesy as that may sound; there’s always that brightness in them that Line can’t refuse not to capture. After some moments, Line felt something racing inside her chest. What the heck was it?

“Oi… Chibikko…” Daiki uttered, perhaps a bit impatient. “You okay?” He asked, suddenly holding onto Line’s forehead.

Line blinked a couple of times, her chest pounding violently in her opinion and she looked down on her cup. “I wasn’t… saying anything.” She uttered in the blankest way she could. “Train’s here!”

Still a bit confused, “Yosh…” Daiki uttered, pulling out his own train pass and handing Line hers. “Here you go…”

As they got in, it’s pretty empty. It’s gonna be a pretty long ride back to Meiji, but Daiki wasn’t bothered. He waited for Line to get in before he followed and they sat next to each other.

Daiki held onto that bag that contains about two boxes of pastries Line insisted on buying before they left that café. She bought about tons of tiny cakes, different sweets, those Italian pastry stuff - she was like a kid in a candy store Daiki laughed at the memory.

As they train started moving, Line looked up at the ceiling, then to Daiki. “Let’s eat some of that tiny cake stuff!”

Perhaps a bit shocked, he uttered, “You’re hungry still?”

“I need my dose of sweetness…” She grinned and pulled out one box from Daiki’s bag. “Let’s open this one.” She uttered, placing the box on Daiki’s lap, camera on her other hand. When she opened the box, she kind of squealed like a kid, “They’re so cute I don’t even wanna touch them!” She was shocked when Daiki grabbed onto one bite-sized cake, and popped it in his mouth. “Hey!!!!”

“Yummm…” He uttered, grinning, with some chocolate stuck on his teeth. Line took a quick shot. “Oi!”

After some little bickering, there was contentment - silence. They only managed to murder two cakes, the rest were safe back in the box. “We’ll need something to buy Kei-chan’s forgiveness.” Line said, when Daiki asked her what she’s planning to do with these much cake. “Bring one box back to your dorm, okay?”

“I’m not sure he’ll let us get away with just these…” Daiki answered rather honestly.

Line shrugged, “To be honest, I’m not at fault. Who dragged me out to the train station, bought some passes, and was suddenly riding with me on a train to his hometown, huh?” She held that grin.

Daiki answered with a frown, then a nod, “I’m sure Kei will be okay with a bunch of sweets… I think…” Line laughed and Daiki just did so too.

Silence makes it through them for seconds, then the two are back to talking about random things. The train seems to be moving faster, but somehow, Daiki wishes it would slow down a bit - ride with the pace of the slow yet peaceful night. He was about to say something when Line surprised him with a… erm… spontaneous topic. “Say Dai-chan, do you think confessions of love are overrated?”

“Huh?” This was what he could conjure.

“Just a thought.” Daiki watched as she takes out her earphones, untangling them. “It’s pretty biggie here, isn’t it?”

“Not from where you came from, I suppose…” he somehow found a way to twist things a bit.

Line shrugged and there was a quick pause before she said, “…I don’t know…” and plugged one of her earphones, leaving the left side hanging. “I haven’t really tried confessing, you see.”

Daiki’s head shot up a little, and he wonders why he looked at Line-chan as if he’s trying to not be caught by her. “…you had plans on doing so?” this is probably the first time Daiki has come one-to-one with Line regarding this topic. It seems so foreign, the feeling that is. For some reason, there’s this tiny swirl building on his stomach, painful, yet not.

She sighed, “Nope.” Then smiled, “….well…. I lied.” She then gave a silly laugh, as if laughing at herself, “…I HAD. Perhaps, I HAD plans…” Daiki was trying to rack his brain for something to say when he felt relief washing over him as Line continued, “It was ages ago.” She nodded, contented. “And boy, am I glad I didn’t do anything.”

“….ah… why-”

“What about you?” her mood somehow switched; like some lights being turned on. She suddenly looked so giddy, “I haven’t really asked if you’ve had any confessions.” Raising her brows, “You confessed, or the girl did?” There was a quick gasp, “…well, unless a guy confessed to ya… erm…” she lets it fade

“No! No! Oh, nothing of that sort.” Daiki quickly shoves the thought away, shaking his head in emphasis. “You and your weird ideas…”

“So…?” Line asked, still pressing…

Daiki was blinking, “Tried to, once.” He remembered faintly that girl he liked back in elementary. Funny, it doesn’t give him any shivers as it did before. Talking about it seems like a talking about a movie or a drama he once seen, “Went through all the trouble of buying the perfect chocolate, in the end…” he watched Line wait enthusiastically for what he’s gonna say, “I didn’t give it to her.”

“What!?” She sounded disappointed, “Wh- What happened to the chocolates!?”

“Pfft…” Daiki held his laughter. “You’re concerned with the chocolates?”

She nodded. “Well, they’d be a waste.”

“I ate them.”

“Good for you.” She even snapped her fingers, as if having a ‘eureka’ moment. Daiki was staring at her for a good ten or twenty seconds, then, “What?”

“No one really ever asked me what happened to the chocolates.” He uttered, a smile was there, as if saying he’s really amused, “They usually ask why I didn’t give it.”

Line took a moment to pout, like fixing her head to get her idea in order, “I was gonna ask about that too, it’s just that, the chocolate, if it was from Chiba, I felt really sad.”

“You’re not entirely making any sense…”

Line waves her hand, then yawns, “You get my point anyway.” She then rubs her eye, “For what it’s worth, I’m sure there’s a reason why you didn’t end up giving those chocolates.” Daiki looked at the windows, the scenery passing by like a blur, everything looked pretty dark. The moon however, is shining brightly, perfectly seen to where they are sitting.

He didn’t really know what to say, so he decided not to say anything. Line seemed like she isn’t really asking for any reply either. There was silence, and Daiki listened to the train’s movement.

As the silence grows, faintly he could hear a tune. Familiar tune, that is. It’s probably one of those foreign songs he’s been listening to lately. It sounded like it was coming from somewhere near, and it didn’t take him long to realize that it was coming from Line’s earphone. “Ne, Line-chan…” he uttered, but Line wasn’t really saying anything. She’s been frozen on her state about a few minutes ago, bag on her lap, hugged close to her chest, her head bopping side to side little by little as the train moves. Daiki took the liberty to take her dangling earphone and plugged it into his ear. There was that familiar song, and finally he learned what it was. ‘Try.’ He uttered, remembering that unique acoustic song. “…Line-chan…” he whispered, and even he himself wasn’t sure why he’s whispering.

A/N: Interrupting you guys for a sec. Hahahaha! In case anyone would like to listen to it, here's the song that's playing on Line's iPod. Song is entitled "Try". It's an original composition by Melissa Polinar. 

Click to view

Soon, Daiki felt Line’s head on his shoulder. As if feeling rather stupid, Daiki poked his head for not realizing right away that Line was actually sleeping already. The sound of the train moving echoes on. And thus the song kept playing.

Nothing, nothing I can do
To keep my heart away from you

Daiki was just watching Line, the top of her head nearly pressing his cheeks. He loved the thought of tucking her close, so to stop her from falling forward as the train moves even faster. There was suddenly some jolt, as if the train hits some bumpy tracks, and Daiki was quick to hold onto Line, pulling her head close to him, and looking around instinctively.

I can’t help it
I can’t tell you
How much I try

Silence once again, the lingering tune of the song; everything seemed to be woven in Daiki’s head. He smiled, hearing the same song once again - Line must have had it on repeat.

To get you off my mind
To help me move on
And just live my life

When was it really? When was it that she came into his life and made these little subtle differences? He looked around, as if memorizing the entire scene at the very moment. Then a flash of Line, standing near that landmark, as if waiting but not really, her penguin charm dangling - it wasn’t the first time Daiki has seen a foreigner, and Line wasn’t really the most foreign-looking since she’s Asian as well, but there was something about her that made her stand out, but not really. Daiki smiled, remembering their first exchange of words.

I can’t help it
I can’t tell you
How much I try

Was it really just a few months ago? Everyday felt like a step closer to something better. Daiki thought of how foolish it is to reminisce at the moment, but he couldn’t help doing so for some reason. Their trip to Akihabara, Line’s camera obsession… he laughed to himself, her bluntness about things she hate…. He then take a glance at the girl, sleeping soundlessly on his shoulder; this girl who kicked a scary-looking dude and then pulled them on a crazy escape.

Maybe it’s Line’s influence, him remembering the past like a picture slide-show. Daiki held his laughter with the memory of Inoo and a tray of bubble teas as he gets mistaken as a girl. Endless first moments…

Line moved a little, and Daiki tried his best to make her more comfortable, taking her bag from her lap, placing it on his other side - along with his bag - and resting Line’s back on her seat. She seems a little off-position, you see.

Weird enough, as Daiki settles down once again, the moments of before kept playing inside his head. Line’s look after seeing her facebook account, that chilly walk after Inoo left them suddenly. Then there’s that facebook fraud he and Inoo did ever so carelessly. He looked a Line, a little guilt inside his head.

For some reason Asuka came, Line and her weird French moments - as confusing as they all seem, Daiki couldn’t figure why he’s thinking of all of this now.

There was that familiar sound of the train’s announcement, and Daiki new they’re about to get off. Was it that long? He wasn’t sure himself if he was referring to the train trip, or the trip through his memories.

But one thing he is sure of: Line was just with him for a few months. He smiled, looking at Line and getting ready to wake her up. ‘Those weren’t just a few months…’ he heard his own voice inside his head, ‘those months were some of the best months I’ve ever had.’ He was about to shake Line to wake her up, as they are about two stops away from Meiji, when Line slowly moved, her head still on his shoulder. Daiki took off the earphone from his ear and watched as Line slowly stretches. “Aaaaah~ Uwaaa. I slept.” She uttered, pulling her earphones and looking up at Daiki. “Heavy huh?” She asked, referring to herself. “Sorry ‘bout that…” sitting up straight, she quickly looked for her bag.

“Surprisingly, you’re not that heavy.” Daiki uttered, hearing a bit of strain on his voice - was he trying to find his words? “Ah… here…” he uttered, handing her bag back.

“Must’ve been boring being up on your own, you shouldn’t have let me doze off.” She said, stretching a little.

Daiki shook his head, “Wasn’t that long.” He assured, “Besides, you look like you’re impossible to wake.”

“Lie.” She sticks her tongue out, “You’re a terrible liar.”

“I was busy just thinking about random things. It helped that you weren’t awake to bother me.” Daiki then grinned and stood up - they’re a few seconds away from their stop.

Line stood up as well, confused. “That’s too honest.” She was fixing herself, zipping and re-zipping her bag’s pocket. Pre-occupied a little, she tried to keep a stare on Daiki.

Daiki laughed as the train stopped, he instinctively held onto Line as she looks a little distracted. The doors open and Daiki pulls Line out to the station.  “Well, we better head back. Welcome back to Meiji.”

Line sighed, “I miss Chiba already.”

“I’m here.” Daiki uttered, and this made Line smile. “So, do you plan on seeing Kei-chan, or you’re leaving me to do the messy explanation alone?”

To Daiki’s surprise, Line held onto his arm, like a lady usually does to her man, and pointed towards the campus. “Oh, a little help from me would probably save your butt.” She smiled, “You’ll need me after all.”

“Oh you think?” Daiki raised his brow, rather suspiciously as the two went on their way. ‘Nothing, nothing I can do, to keep my heart away from you.’ Inside his head, Daiki can hear the song still playing.

xXxXx

read next part:  Chapter Seventeen - Part 2